Generation Anxiety: Navigating the Stress of Millennials and Gen Z with Dr. Lauren Cook

On today's episode of the "Helping Families Be Happy" podcast, host Christopher Robbins, co-founder of Familius Publishing, husband, father of nine, author, fisherman, backpacker, and aspirational musician based in the Central Valley of California, talks to Dr. Lauren Cook, a therapist who specializes in helping millennials and Gen Z clients deal with anxiety. Christopher shares that Dr. Cook not only professionally understands these generations' struggles with anxiety but also personally relates to them as a millennial who experiences anxiety herself.

 

The episode discusses Dr. Cook's book, "Generation Anxiety," which provides actionable steps to help young adults navigate anxiety. The book draws on psychological research and diverse client experiences to illustrate various manifestations of anxiety. It aims to help readers gain insight into their own stressors and effectively manage anxiety.

 

Episode Highlights

• 02:00: The episode features Dr. Cook, who specializes in addressing anxiety among millennials and Gen Z, and it acknowledges the widespread issue of anxiety, with over 40 million Americans currently experiencing some form of anxiety.
• 02:51: Dr. Cook explains that there is indeed a rise in both the number of people experiencing anxiety and the intensity of their symptoms. She attributes this to several factors, including the constant inundation of social media, which is a relatively new phenomenon, and the increasing sense of isolation, often referred to as the "loneliness epidemic."
• 03:37: Dr. Cook also highlights an interesting aspect of anxiety, where the more one seeks to control it, the more out of control it can become. She mentions that avoidance is another common aspect of anxiety, where individuals may start avoiding certain aspects of their life or situations due to their anxiety.
• 04:14: Christopher shares a valuable perspective from their teachings, emphasizing that we don't have control over everything but rather have influence. This perspective encourages finding ways to influence the situation positively.
• 06:20: When people isolate themselves and only interact with a small circle of family and friends, they can become more distrustful and disconnected from others.
• 07:18: Dr. Cook also mentions the common stereotype about Gen Z struggling with voicemails, which she believes is a reflection of a larger issue related to social skills and interaction. She advocates for building social skills to enhance communication and connection among all generations.
• 08:14: Dr. Cook explains the concept of choosing values induction over pain reduction in the context of anxiety. She notes that anxiety often stems from the desire to avoid discomfort and pain, and this avoidance can lead to people missing out on important aspects of life.
• 10:35; Dr. Cook expresses her enthusiasm for discussing the power of gratitude, citing years of research in positive psychology that highlights the positive impact of gratitude on both brain health and overall physical health.
• 10:42: The concept of "5 daily gratitude" likely refers to a practice of identifying and expressing gratitude for five things each day. This practice is often recommended as a way to shift focus away from negative thinking and promote a more positive and optimistic outlook on life.
• 12:29: Christopher shares his personal experience with practicing gratitude during yoga and meditation. He mentions how he expresses gratitude for simple things like trees, breath, and the sounds of birds during his practice.
• 13:37: Dr. Cook explains that these two generations have grown up in an era where there is a significant focus on appearance. She points out that millennials experienced a period when plastic surgery and brands like Abercrombie and Fitch were popular, which had a substantial impact on young adults' self-image.
• 14:09: "What if your appearance was the least interesting thing about you?" Dr. Cook suggests that this question can be a powerful way to prompt self-reflection and encourage individuals to reconsider where they invest their time, energy, and focus.
• 16:26: Dr. Cook introduces the concept of "empowered acceptance." This practice involves accepting yourself and your current situation while taking active steps to improve your well-being.
• 17:25: Dr. Cook also highlights that it's okay to experience anxiety and that the goal isn't necessarily to make anxiety disappear but to learn how to live with it while still leading fulfilling lives.

3 Key Points

1. Dr. Cook talks about the importance of teaching children to interact with people outside of their immediate family and encourages parents to expose their children to a broader community.
2. Dr. Cook encourages practicing mindfulness and taking moments to reflect on what has gone well in the past 24 hours, even in small ways. She suggests that this practice can have a significant impact on shifting the energy within a family unit.
3. Alongside acceptance, Dr. Cook encourages individuals to take empowered action to address the problems and challenges they face. Being proactive and engaged in finding solutions, both on a personal and societal level, can help alleviate anxiety.

Tweetable Quotes

• “Anxiety, is like a wave that spikes when we reach its peak, and my goal is to help people ride through the wave and realize that they can endure and survive through moments of discomfort.” - Dr. Cook
• “By understanding one's values, individuals can become more willing to endure the discomfort that may come with pursuing a meaningful life.” - Dr. Cook
• “Many young adults she works with often rate their stress about body image at a 7 or 8 on a scale of 1 to 10, indicating that body image occupies a significant amount of their mental energy and attention.” - Dr. Cook

Resources Mentioned

• Helping Families be Happy Podcast Apple
• doctorlaurencook.com
• Podcast Editing