In recent years, psychologists and researchers have noticed a rise in anxiety, depression, and stress among young adults. Jonathan Haidt refers to this group as the “anxious generation.” He points to cultural and social changes that have contributed to heightened emotional fragility in millennials and Generation Z. At the same time, studies in education and neuroscience emphasize the importance of executive functioning skills. These skills help young adults manage tasks, regulate emotions, and make confident decisions. Understanding the connection between Haidt’s observations and executive functioning can guide parents, educators, and young adults toward practical strategies to build resilience and reduce anxiety.
Understanding the Anxious Generation
Jonathan Haidt’s research highlights how overprotective parenting, social media, and avoidance culture contribute to mental health challenges in young adults. Many young people experience social anxiety, fear of failure, and lack of confidence when navigating challenges.
Parenting styles have changed over the past few decades, with many parents intervening to prevent children from experiencing discomfort or failure. While well-intentioned, this approach may reduce opportunities to develop coping skills and independence.
Social media also plays a significant role. Constant comparison with peers online creates unrealistic expectations and feelings of inadequacy. Fear of missing out, peer pressure, and curated online lives amplify stress and anxiety.
Cultural shifts that emphasize avoiding discomfort, including trigger warnings and microaggressions, can encourage avoidance rather than problem-solving. These factors combined leave many young adults less equipped to tolerate stress and navigate challenges successfully.
What Are Executive Functioning Skills
Executive functioning skills are mental processes that help people plan, focus attention, remember instructions, and manage multiple tasks. These skills are essential for academic, professional, and emotional success.
Core executive functioning skills include emotional regulation, impulse control, working memory, cognitive flexibility, and self-monitoring. Emotional regulation allows individuals to manage stress and respond thoughtfully to challenges. Impulse control helps resist distractions and delay gratification. Working memory enables holding information while completing complex tasks. Cognitive flexibility supports adapting to new situations and problem-solving. Self-monitoring allows individuals to track progress, identify mistakes, and adjust strategies.
These skills are learned and strengthened through practice, making them a powerful tool for addressing anxiety in young adults.
How Executive Functioning Skills Reduce Anxiety
Executive functioning skills can mitigate some of the challenges faced by the anxious generation.
Emotional regulation helps manage stress and respond calmly to difficulties. Mindfulness practices, deep-breathing exercises, and guided reflection are effective strategies for improving emotional control.
Impulse control addresses the distractions and instant gratification promoted by social media and digital culture. Strengthening focus and decision-making skills reduces procrastination and the stress associated with unfinished tasks.
Planning and organization reduce feelings of overwhelm. Breaking large projects into smaller steps and setting realistic deadlines builds confidence and creates a sense of accomplishment.
Cognitive flexibility allows young adults to adapt when situations change. Developing problem-solving skills and flexibility increases resilience and helps manage unexpected challenges.
Self-monitoring and reflection promote a growth mindset. By reviewing progress and adjusting strategies, young adults can overcome fear of failure and reduce anxiety.
Practical Strategies to Strengthen Executive Functioning Skills
Here are actionable strategies to develop executive functioning skills:
Goal-setting exercises: Define short-term and long-term goals, then break them into achievable steps.
Mindfulness practices: Meditation, deep breathing, or mindfulness exercises support emotional regulation.
Time management tools: Use planners, calendars, or digital reminders to stay organized and focused.
Problem-solving challenges: Puzzles, strategy games, and creative tasks build cognitive flexibility.
Reflection routines: Journaling or guided self-assessment promotes self-monitoring and growth.
Controlled exposure to challenges: Gradually facing small discomforts builds tolerance and resilience.
The Role of Executive Functioning in Building Resilience
Developing executive functioning skills strengthens independence, confidence, and emotional stability. Haidt’s research suggests that overprotection and avoidance reduce opportunities to learn coping skills. Executive functioning offers a structured approach to building resilience.
By practicing emotional regulation, impulse control, planning, cognitive flexibility, and self-monitoring, young adults can reduce anxiety and approach challenges with confidence. These skills support academic success, professional performance, and overall mental health.
The anxious generation faces unique challenges influenced by social, cultural, and psychological factors. Jonathan Haidt highlights the effects of overprotection, social media, and avoidance culture on mental health. Executive functioning skills provide a practical framework to address these challenges.
By strengthening emotional regulation, impulse control, planning, cognitive flexibility, and self-monitoring, young adults can build resilience and navigate life successfully. Parents, educators, and coaches can support these skills through goal-setting, mindfulness practices, problem-solving exercises, and exposure to manageable challenges.
Executive functioning skills are more than academic tools. They are essential for mental health, confidence, and personal growth. By prioritizing these skills, the anxious generation can reduce anxiety, increase resilience, and thrive in an increasingly complex world.
Thriving in a Complex World
The anxious generation faces unique challenges influenced by social, cultural, and psychological factors. Jonathan Haidt highlights the effects of overprotection, social media, and avoidance culture on mental health. Executive functioning skills provide a practical framework to address these challenges.
By strengthening emotional regulation, impulse control, planning, cognitive flexibility, and self-monitoring, young adults can build resilience and navigate life successfully. Parents, educators, and coaches can support these skills through goal-setting, mindfulness practices, problem-solving exercises, and exposure to manageable challenges.
Executive functioning skills are more than academic tools. They are essential for mental health, confidence, and personal growth. By prioritizing these skills, the anxious generation can reduce anxiety, increase resilience, and thrive in an increasingly complex world.