For the vast majority of young people, wellbeing seriously matters.
In fact, more than 96% of Gen Zs told us for our Gen Z Wellbeing Check research that wellness is important (47%) or very important (49%) to them.
And ever the self-aware Generation that insists on leaving a legacy of positive change, Gen Zs want to see mindfulness, meditation, philosophy and self-care practices that help nurture wellbeing be incorporated into school curriculums.
A 23-year-old male from Victoria told us that they felt the school system is designed around “producing good employees, not strong people that are passionate about what they do and who they are in life”.
“I listened to the school and attempted to get a degree to get a good job, but ultimately was left with nothing but anxiety and debt because it was not what I truly wanted to do,” he said.
“After focusing on myself and what I want for the last 18 months I’ve finally discovered where my interests truly lie and I have set myself down a path to achieve my dreams.”
“(But) had the school system been more focused on building students up to reach their potential rather than attempting to program everyone for the same path in life, perhaps myself and so many others wouldn’t need to spend their early 20s panicking about their post-school existence.”
A 20-year-old male from Queensland said he felt the answer was in schools helping teens develop a strong foundation of virtues and morals.
“I believe the growth of the subconscious, conscious and spirit through mindfulness, meditation and academic guides such as philosophers or religious scholars is of utmost importance in preparing the individual to deal with negative people and situations,” he said.
“Although secondary school does nurture some self-growth in the individual… it’s mostly other students that affect the thinking, habits and dreams of other students.
“A personal, self-authoring system or routine designed to allow me to understand who I am as a person, internally, with no external influence or stimulation is an absolutely vital process to prepare for your future and I am worried that it is something that isn’t looked at seriously enough.”
