Young Americans Are Scheduling ‘Worry Time’ For Improved Mental Health

A growing number of young Americans are tackling stress and anxiety in a surprising way: by putting it on their calendars.

According to a new survey of 2,000 U.S. adults, one in 10 Gen Z and millennial respondents said they schedule time in their day specifically to worry. Thats more than triple the rate of Gen X and baby boomers, only 3% of whom do the same. An additional 38% of all respondents said they would consider adopting the practice, which many said helps them reduce the amount of time spent worrying and better manage their anxiety.

The findings come from a Talker Research survey commissioned by Avocado Green Mattress ahead of Earth Day, with a broader focus on how worry affects Americans lives.

Nearly half (47%) of all respondents said they feel like they are in a “constant” state of worry. This sentiment was especially common among younger generations — 62% of Gen Z and millennials reported constant worry compared to just 38% of older respondents.

On average, Americans worry for two hours and 18 minutes each day, with the most common times being when they are alone (33%) or just before falling asleep (30%). Others reported peak worry moments in the morning (17%) or while getting ready for bed (12%).

The survey also explored the top causes of worry, particularly those that keep people up at night. Finances topped the list, cited by 53% of respondents, followed by family concerns (42%) and responsibilities or unfinished tasks (42%). Health (37%), getting enough sleep (22%), and political unrest (19%) were also frequent sources of bedtime anxiety.

“Worry doesnt just affect our mindset — it can also take a real toll on our sleep,” said Brooke Witt, VP of Marketing at Avocado Green Mattress.

“When our thoughts are preoccupied with finances, family or our to-do lists, it can be harder to fall asleep and stay asleep, which impacts how rested we feel the next day,” Witt said. “We know how important quality sleep is for overall well-being, and were committed to helping people create a space for rest, even in lifes busier, more stressful moments.”

For parents, concerns about their childrens future loomed large: 77% percent said they worry about the world their children are growing up in, with one in three citing climate change as a specific source of concern. Some parents expressed fears that climate impacts would limit their childrens opportunities or prevent them from enjoying the same experiences they had growing up.

In addition to highlighting generational trends in stress and mental health, the survey also touched on how worry can interfere with sleep. Respondents acknowledged that ongoing worries, from finances to climate change, often follow them to bed, disrupting rest and increasing stress the next day.

“Theres always something on our minds — whether its work, family or concerns about the future,” said Amy Sieman, Affiliate Manager at Avocado Green Mattress. “This research highlights just how much those everyday worries can follow us to bed, affecting both our sleep and our daily lives. We believe that quality rest is key to feeling our best, and were proud to help support a more relaxed and restorative nights sleep.”

As younger generations increasingly turn to structured techniques like “worry time” to cope, the findings suggest a growing need for strategies that support both mental health and restorative sleep in an increasingly anxious world.