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India’s spiritual icons share simple, powerful ways for Gen Z to beat burnout and find balance.
Simple, mindful daily changes can help you deal better with the hustle that persists. Go for it!
A study furnished by global health company Cigna in 2022 raised an alarm about rising stress levels and burnout symptoms among the younger population, especially Gen Z. According to the survey report, a whopping 91% of Gen Z respondents — aged between 18 and 24 years — confirmed that they felt severe stress. The number spiked to almost 98% when it came to symptoms of work-related burnout among Gen Z.
Stress and burnout can be triggered by a number of reasons, as this is the phase of stepping into adulthood, taking on new personal and professional responsibilities, navigating fragile relationships, and more. However, there is one definite path that may help many individuals in this age group overcome their stress to a great extent — the spiritual path.
Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai, a global humanitarian and spiritual teacher who has dedicated his life to serving humanity, opines that burnout is more a bedlam of the mind than the body. “The mind is, after all, a child, and only needs some coaxing and comforting to make it listen to the Master — you. Be your own master to be your buoyant self,” says the guiding light behind SMSGHM, a global mission that helms the world’s largest school-based morning nutrition program and the only super-specialty hospital with no billing desk.
He suggests some simple steps ‘to touch base with the beautiful you’. According to him, one should start by sitting quietly with oneself every day and spending time in reflection. “Face the truth and do not live in denial. Simplify your life and do not complicate it. Do not aim to compete with others; rather, compete with yourself. You are your own competition. You are your own standard,” he advises. He further emphasizes the importance of enjoying one’s own company, thinking about what truly matters instead of borrowing ideas from others, and finding fruitful ways of engaging time, energy, and resources. Suggesting a ‘Need’ vs ‘Want’ analysis, Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai urges youngsters to value their talents, knowledge, and resources, and to put them to good use. “Enjoy your entitlement to basic needs and comforts to lead a decent life, but be watchful not to overdo it,” he says.
Meanwhile, another notable Indian spiritual icon, Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, recently shared that the formula to bust stress and burnout starts with the body and ends with food. Terming body movement as medicine, he says that most diseases would almost vanish if we used our bodies the right way. This, however, needs to be complemented by eating proper food at disciplined times — and doing so with the right intent.
Sadhguru also feels that many people are underworked physically, and that this needs to change for the better. He further opines that eating seasonal produce — foods that are growing locally — can make a significant difference.
So, you heard it from the spiritual icons themselves — simple, mindful daily changes can help you deal better with the hustle that persists. Go for it!
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