Gen Z take longest to destress after work, survey finds

MOST Gen Z workers feel the need to decompress after logging off for the day to properly relax and enjoy their evening.

A study of 2000 employed adults found 79 per cent need time after work to decompress, with difficult co-workers, tight deadlines and high work loads being primary reasons.

Gen Z were found to take the longest downtime, with 15 per cent needing more than hour to properly unwind, according to the Miracle-Gro commissioned study.

On the other hand, 28 per cent of Boomers claimed the did not need to at all.

Presenter and gardening enthusiast, Jo Whiley, who partnered with the study, said: “After a busy day, I feel there is no better cure than spending some time outside reconnecting with nature and find that all the stresses melt away when you’re in the garden”.

Whiley is encouraging people to take part in the social trend of ‘Touching Grass’ to help stressed workers refresh and reconnect with the real world.

Going out for a walk, sticking on a favourite TV show, and listening to music were also among the popular ways to unwind after a tough work day.

The study also found 32 per cent of employees experience stress ‘most days’ at work, with 40 per cent thinking about it outside work hours.

Some of these causes of stress included technical issues or failures with systems, as well as workplace politics.

RHS Therapeutic Gardener, Ozichi Brewster, highlights the long-term wellbeing benefits of spending time in nature and having regular exposure to natural light.

“As sentient beings that experience a range of positive and negative feelings we are constantly at risk of being overwhelmed by the conditions we are living in, we need time to rest and reset”.

Spending more time outside has been linked to the release of feel-good hormones like dopamine, serotonin, endorphins and oxytocin, which can boost energy and increase relaxation.

Other methods of unwinding after work included 29 per cent going for a glass of wine or beer, 26 per cent who enjoy sitting in the garden on a sunny evening, and 17 per cent who tend to their plants.

A Miracle-Gro’s spokesperson said: “We all lead busy lives and look for ways to unwind at the end of the day.

“With it proven that spending time gardening can be beneficial for people’s health, we want to encourage people to reconnect with nature by touching grass”.

As many as 11 per cent of working adults have their work-life balance as ‘terrible’ in a OnePoll.com survey.

Jo Whiley unwinds in her garden by taking part in the latest wellbeing trend of ‘touching grass’

Jo Whiley as part of Miracle-Gro’s campaign to encourage people to reconnect with nature. Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]