Millennials — those born from 1981 to 1996 — are not only the largest living generation today but also became the workforce majority at the end of 2015. By the end of 2025, they will make up 75% of the American workforce.
This generation grew up in a time of rapid change, which gives them different priorities and expectations than previous generations. Their unique upbringing and subsequent values are reshaping our economy in almost every way possible.
Think Uber, Fitbit, Airbnb, Etsy, Lululemon and Twitter. Successful companies that continue to adapt as the result of millennial expectations aren’t just changing the products they sell and how they sell them — they also are changing their cultures.
A healthier generation
With the exception of family, millennials value health the most. In a recent study, 79% said family was important in their lives, followed by health and wellness at 53%, friends at 39%, spirituality at 31% and career at 27%.
Wellness is a daily, active pursuit for millennials. They are eating healthier and exercising more than previous generations. They smoke less. Almost half consider healthy eating a lifestyle choice as opposed to a goal-driven diet.
Technology has enabled greater access to wellness information and has put personal health monitoring into the palms of their hands. Millennials use apps and technology to stay healthy; and while they are earning less than older generations, they are spending more on health and fitness.
Millennials and career well-being
Most of today’s leaders inherited 20thcentury institutions, which are known for lack of agility and punching a time clock. Institutions where seniority and top-down management rules. Institutions that value profits over people.
Millennials often are criticized for their lack of loyalty or “job hopping,” but it is critical to note they leave their jobs for one key reason — they do not share these industrial-age values. They value education, higher purpose and collaboration across organizational ranks, and they want to be recognized and rewarded for their ideas and creative thinking.
Along with their prioritization of health and wellness, it isn’t a surprise that millennials expect work-life balance. They are more likely than other generations to view work-life balance — 41% — and not enough free time — 36% — as major career concerns. Only 29% of Gen Xers and 20% of baby boomers feel the same.
Leading today’s ‘wellness generation’
As organizations develop strategies to attract, engage and retain millennials, here are a few tactics to consider:
- Offer flexible work schedules and paid time off.
- Pay and reward employees for results and not hours “clocked.”
- Offer health and wellness benefits, but make sure they are convenient to access.
- Provide wellness tools and supports that contribute to work-life balance, including mental, social and emotional well-being.
- Ensure easy access to healthy meal and snack options at the worksite.
- Create opportunities for collaboration across disciplines and organizational ranks.
- Adopt casual dress codes that embrace “athleisure” — think Lululemon, Athleta — or clothing that promotes comfort and movement throughout the day.
- Make sure your organization’s higher purpose is clear.
- Create work-sponsored outlets to volunteer or contribute to causes that are important to employees.
Leaders who adopt this “wellness generation” view will be much more successful in attracting, retaining and engaging the most powerful generation in the workforce today.
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Posted In Health Information, Health Plan, Workplace Health
Katie Nermoe
Katie Nermoe formerly worked for Sanford Health Plan as director of wellness.
FAQs
While older generations would say that wellness only refers to physical health, millennials were among the first generation to include mental, emotional, and social health in their definition of wellness.
What are the health and wellness trends for Millennials? ›
Millennials are at the forefront of the wellness market, embracing trends like mindfulness and holistic health. Their approach goes beyond traditional healthcare, focusing on preventive measures and overall well-being.
Are Millennials the healthiest generation? ›
Additionally, a 2019 survey by the American Heart Association found that millennials are more likely to engage in healthy behaviors, such as regular exercise and maintaining a healthy diet, than in previous generations.
Which generation has the longest life expectancy? ›
It is a known fact that lifespan increases with each generation. For baby boomers, the average life expectancy is 70 years, for Gen X its 85, and newer generations like Gen Z and Alpha will likely exceed the 100-year mark.
Why are millennials so healthy? ›
Millennials are more proactive and health conscious than their parents and grandparents. They're more willing to spend money on fitness, healthy food, and self-care. But as health care costs become more and more unpredictable, millennials have learned to do their research beforehand.
How much do millennials spend on wellness? ›
Millennials spend the most of any generation at $115 per month. Millennials spent $20 more monthly on beauty, fitness, and wellness than members of Gen Z, amounting to a $240 annual difference.
What do millennials want in healthcare? ›
Access and speed need to be a priority. When it comes to doctor visits, Millennials are most dissatisfied about long wait times, office inefficiency, arduous bill payment systems, and inconvenient availability for booking appointments. A solution for this is that 74% of Millennials would prefer to book online.
What generation eats the healthiest? ›
Gen Z is focused on sustainability, health, and wellness. Their food choices are more likely than any previous generation to embrace flexitarian eating habits — on-and-off vegan or vegetarian lifestyles.
Which generation focuses on health and wellness? ›
Our research, by McKinsey senior partner Warren Teichner and coauthors, shows that Gen Z is most interested in wellness spending that is focused on appearance and overall health.
What is the unhealthiest generation? ›
The report found that millennials had substantially higher diagnoses for eight of the top 10 health conditions than Generation X, and based on their current health status, millennials are more likely to be less healthy when they're older, compared to Gen Xers.
Not just growing pains: Gen Z reports suffering more than other generations did at their age.
Which generation is the most stressed in millennials? ›
Young adults in America like Hannah are reporting higher stress levels than older generations, with 18- to 34-year-olds saying their average stress level is a 6 out of 10, compared with a 3.4 among people ages 65 and older, APA's 2023 Stress in America survey found.
How old will millennials live to be? ›
With a life expectancy of more than 85 years, millennials and Gen X will retire before 2055.
Are millennials healthier than baby boomers? ›
Boomers are older, so they're more likely to have ongoing health problems. Even worse, many chronic conditions are increasing among baby boomers at a distressing rate.
What is the smallest generation? ›
Generation X, defined by the Pew Research Center as those born between 1965-1980, is the smallest generation by population, due to lower birth rates. They are sometimes referred to as the MTV generation, as the MTV channel debuted in their formative years.
How does Gen Z define wellness? ›
Whilst nutrition and exercise have always been the cornerstone of a healthy lifestyle, 76% of gen z's define wellness as something much more accessible and holistic - “anything that makes you feel good”.
Do millennials care about health? ›
Health isn't just a physical manner to Millennials. In a recent survey, 90% of Millennials cited wanting healthcare support that also covers their emotional and mental well being.
How do people define wellness? ›
Wellness is a holistic integration of physical, mental, and spiritual well-being, fueling the body, engaging the mind, and nurturing the spirit (1).
