Insight from Gen Z

Gen Z is a generation unlike any other in United States. These young people have grown up in a world where the Internet was ubiquitous. Smart phones everywhere. Social media platforms were born when they were born and grew up with them. Influencers influence them. Family dynamics and worldviews are scattered. And a global pandemic, webcameras, Google classroom, and hybrid learning impacted their health, education, and adolescent memories.

The convergence of all these things will profoundly shape the next generation of the Church and the world. In fact, more than half of all Americans are millennials or younger. What does this mean? Their voice and influence is increasing. Older generations, like myself, would be best to listen in.

King Solomon wisely understood the importance of seeking wisdom, instruction, and increase in learning. Proverbs 1:1-7 reminds us to "obtain guidance" (verse 5).

The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel:
To know wisdom and instruction,
to understand words of insight,
to receive instruction in wise dealing,
in righteousness, justice, and equity;
to give prudence to the simple,
knowledge and discretion to the youth—
Let the wise hear and increase in learning,
and the one who understands obtain guidance,
to understand a proverb and a saying,
the words of the wise and their riddles.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
fools despise wisdom and instruction.

We would do well to listen to the younger generations. My daughter, Allie, is among this large generation. Here are some of her thoughts on how to balance mental and spiritual health habits. While you may not agree with all of them, it's helpful to listen in and understand one voice among a generation that wants to change the world... and they will change the world.

Allie's thoughts on balanced mental health habits we don't talk about enough yet actually do help:

1. Helping someone else. Gaining perspective & distraction is beneficial, as long as you are the one consciously deciding to help them and they are not draining everything out of you. Love is choosing to tip your cup to give to others. Love is not letting people puncture holes in the bottom of your cup. This is love with boundaries so you are still able to love more people well.
2. Journaling
3. Conversations with family & friends filled with laughter, also ones that get to the roots of problems
4. Putting effort into the relationships with the people who love me as much as I love them
5. When lack of confidence creeps in, recognizing my weakness while mentally repeating phrases to overcome it:
1. "That's not who I am anymore"
2. "I belong here just as much as they do" 
3. "God sees something valuable in me"
6. Using free time to intentionally rest + recharge with a hobby I really enjoy rather than mindlessly wasting that time on my phone -- also recognizing when a hobby is becoming unhealthy
7. When I'm ruminating in negative, unproductive cycles/worrying, asking God for peace, rest, and wisdom to make the right decision clear, being patient for his answer, reading Psalms, listening to peaceful worship songs, working on tasks to distract from falling to worry again
8. Reading the textbook, then hanging out with friends -- both are priorities but it's likely you get neither wholly if you try to multitask
9. Never forgetting that half of the work is showing up
10. Remembering that a good cry every once in a while is a healthy and normal response to pain
11. When I'm really overwhelmed by life, opening up about ongoing evil messes to family & friends
12. Saying yes to good opportunities while also knowing my limits. Stretching for growth is good, overextending until utter exhaustion, yielding low quality work, is not healthy.
13. Drinking water, exercising regularly, being outside every day
14. Recognizing when my mental health is slipping and taking care of it by prioritizing my physical, spiritual, and social wellness

I genuinely hope these tools help you!

Photo by Nadine Shaabana on Unsplash