Generation Anxiety: A Millennial and Gen Z Guide to Staying Afloat in an Uncertain World

by Lauren Cook

From licensed clinical psychologist and TikTok therapist Dr. Lauren Cook, Generation Anxiety is a practical guide aimed at Millennials and Gen Z for tackling anxiety.

Millennials and Gen Z-ers are considered two of the most anxious generations in history, and with the many intense generation-specific stressors they’ve had to face in recent years—including climate change, political polarization, systemic racism, gun violence, and financial instability—it’s easy to see why people are being diagnosed with anxiety at alarming rates.

Dr. Lauren Cook, a psychologist and career coach who specializes in treating Millennials and Gen Z patients—and a Millennial who also lives with anxiety—understands the many nuanced reasons why these two groups are struggling in different ways than their predecessors. Using a feminist and intersectional lens, Dr. Cook shares her own struggles with anxiety and provides easy, actionable steps to help readers ride the waves of anxiety rather than constantly swimming against them. This relatable, honest, and information-packed book incorporates thorough, evidence-backed psychological research and diverse client experiences to illustrate a broad range of presentations of anxiety to help readers gain insight into their own stressors and combat them.

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction, Psychology, Mental Health, Health, Audiobook

288 pages, Hardcover

Published September 19, 2023

About the author

Dr. Lauren Cook is a licensed clinical psychologist, keynote speaker, and company consultant. She loves speaking around the country to help create more mentally healthy workplaces and schools. Lauren owns a private practice, Heartship Psychological Services, where she serves individual adults, teens, and couples. Lauren completed her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University and has her Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Southern California. She has been featured in the New York Times, Forbes, Bustle, and Medium among other outlets. She currently lives in Los Angeles with her husband, son, and Siamese cat.

Reviews

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was such a helpful read in understanding anxiety and how it effects us. It explains in detail steps you can take in dealing with your anxiety. There are helpful exercises to fill out through out the book. Questions that make you stop and think and answer about yourself. I enjoyed the chapter on “The Self-Care Strategies That Help You Stay Afloat.” This is a type of book that you can constantly refer back to for help with anxiety.

[Bethany *WickedB*]

DNF

I was hoping to find myself learning some things in this book, that it might have some decent explanations or tools. As I read through the intro and started on the first chapter, I found myself disappointed. I encountered some antiquated thoughts about depression and I immediately stopped reading.

Maybe someone else can read through this book and get something out of it, however I feel it may set a person up for failure and have them feeling worse. If I was currently drowning in the ocean of my depression, this would have had me sinking further. I personally do NOT recommend this from the bit that I read.

[Krysten · Rating 4 out of 5]

I saw this at the library in the new section and was like yup that’s for me. Dr. Cook does a great job at using stories to help us understand more about the different ways anxiety impacts us. There were def some wow moments and I took notes throughout. Always learning.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is easy to read and practical on why we’re so anxious. I am a Canadian born visible minority in an immigrant family, that’s a type A (doer) and has their life in order for the future planning ahead! Stellar resume (I choose where I wanna go), small business, family, friends, home, car, education (straight As) and everything. For the longest time, I was in denial of my anxiety and feelings for the past 20+ years (uh, I’m fine…🤣) which my mind and body basically gave out in October 2021 with a diagnosis. Things happen for a reason and as a person with a clean health record, you only have one shot your health! It’s been years and still working through my health issues. I am sharing this in hopes that it can help you. 🙏🏼 You may be rocking it or swimming in this world but you have only one chance for your health, especially your mental health. ❤️🤗 Give this book a try if you wanna conquer this world and not be faced in FEAR. 🙏🏼

[Michaela · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first and only book on anxiety that I ever truly related to. It was so good that I bought a copy since I borrowed it from the library to keep. Not only does the author really understand the kind of anxiety young people face, but there’s ACTUAL advice and tools. There’s even example scenarios that I found myself relating to as well. It really opened my eyes and my god I felt safe. If you are not into going to therapy (or even if you are), there are soooo many resources in this book for anyone struggling with anxiety. I’ll never stop raving about this book

[Katie Troh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was born in a year that is considered millennial or gen z. The author mentions how our generation runs on fear and anger, which is accurate. She acknowledges that some of us live in a situation that we can't just get through with a workbook, such as living in a dangerous area, but either way our feelings are there & they can be treated. She mentions our worry about the state of the world but how taking care of ourselves as much as possible can contribute to change. She talks about OCD & BPD. This book is full of useful information, written in a way that kept my attention. I like to use workbooks along with therapy, but I think even if you don't go to therapy that workbooks like this one can be even more beneficial.

[Kelly Rago · Rating 2 out of 5]

I listened to this as an audiobook and it was the author's voice and unfortunately it drove me insane. She used an almost baby talk voice. I also just didn't find it very informative compared to anything else I have already heard or read.

[Div Manickam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always feel out of place and anxiety is what I live with..
Some days are better than others.. n that's ok.

Thanks for your wisdom and thoughts in this book.

I know we will all be better because we heal together with our stories 🙏



Highlights from the book 📖

People often talk about anxiety like it's low-hanging fruit. "Doesn't everyone have anxiety now?" "Isn't something wrong with you if you don't have anxiety?" When I hear comments like these, I know it's a sign of a gap between a judgment call and the actual lived experience. Because for those who do live with anxiety, it's no small beast. I think most of us would choose to live anxiety-free if we could.


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for our well-being. We need to lean into conversations with people who are different from us, even if we or they say the wrong thing and we fumble our way through it. It's better to at least show up than to continue sitting out.

We've got to come back to each other. We've got to start caring about each other again.

Personal anxiety abates when we take ownership of our lives. It's when we accept what is-and we take a step forward anyway. This can happen on a singular level when we live a life aligned with our values.

LET'S TAKE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DEFINE SOME OF THE WAYS THAT YOU COULD INCORPORATE MORE PLAY INTO YOUR LIFE. TELL ME, WHAT SPARKS YOUR CHILDLIKE JOY?

[Alexandria Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished this book, and wow, it's a game-changer, especially in today's world where we're bombarded with information from social media, TV, and newspapers, all contributing to our anxiety levels. The author does an amazing job of sharing real-life stories about people's struggles with anxiety and offers a bunch of practical ways to manage stress. It's really relatable how she talks about the 'sink or float' feeling – it's like she's right there with us, going through the same stuff and reminding us we're not alone.

One thing I really appreciate is how the author includes her own experiences. It makes the whole thing feel like a conversation with a friend who gets it. The book isn't just for people who are currently dealing with anxiety; it's literally for everyone. It's a great resource for understanding and supporting friends and family who might be going through tough times with anxiety.

Seriously, I'd tell anyone to read this book. Whether you're struggling with anxiety yourself or you just want to be there for someone who is, this book has some great insights and tips. It's a total must-read in my book – no pun intended!

Thanks to the publisher for the ARC!

[Lauren Mosback · Rating 5 out of 5]

ANXIETY is one of the most common reasons adults, teens, and kids seek therapy. Books like this one written by therapists who understand how to effectively help others manage anxiety are so critical.

Generation Anxiety : A Millennial and Gen Z Guide to Staying Afloat in an Uncertain World is a fantastic new book!

Dr. Lauren Cook shares easy and actionable steps to encourage readers to ride the waves of anxiety rather than swim against them.

In this relatable, honest, and informative book, the author incorporates evidence-backed research, exercises and diverse client experiences to illustrate various forms of anxiety.

Generation Anxiety helps readers gain insight into their own stressors and learn ways to successfully manage them. I loved it!

[Tanya · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book felt so random. It's as if the author just recorded their stream of consciousness. So you're reading, and all of a sudden it's about mindfulness. Then in the next paragraph, it's about ocd. Then next page brings up phobias. Then suddenly you're encountering BPD. It's like there was a lack of structure, or logical organizing system. And concepts were not clearly explained or prefaced. They were just brought up as a matter of fact. As if the readers are already familiar with them. Having read many psychology books, I could follow along. But for someone who is not very familiar, I can see this being very confusing and disorienting.

[Alexa Camille · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read. This book is absolutely incredible. I truly cannot say enough good things about it. It has activities and questions for you to answer/work through throughout it, which is one of my favorite parts. It is relevant, completely relatable and immensely informational. Some of my takeaways after reading this book have genuinely improved my life so much. By implementing strategies discussed in the book, I have greatly reduce my anxiety, which is something I was unsure if I would ever be able to do. Absolutely get this book and read it. You will not regret it.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a relatable, practical & helpful guidebook on how to not let anxiety take control of your life. However I felt the chapter on Eating Disorders & body image fell short with its main focus on societal pressures & social media comparisons. It was fairly surface & 2D. There is a great need to explore deeper with ED’s to tackle underlying issues to fully recover & this was not mentioned at all. Overall a good read. I enjoyed the case examples & concrete tips to cope with & live with Anxiety, while not letting it define your identity.

[Beth Kakuma-Depew · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a nice book with good advice for Gen Z and Millennial-aged readers that speaks directly to them. It doesn't have advice for parents or policy makers about how to change things. It does not answer deeper questions about the nature of the anxiety that these generations face, or if they are even facing greater anxiety than previous generations. It's just a helpful advice book.

Not to be confused with the Anxious Generation, which is a totally different book aimed at parents and policy makers.

[Matt Schulz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Way too many books out there are just theory and pontificating without any practical and actionable tips to really help people. This is definitely not one of those books. Dr. Cook does a great job of giving people struggling with anxiety -- and who isn't, right? -- real tools that can help them. But it was also a fun read. Loved the ocean/surfer theme that carried through the book as well.

[Amanda Petrik · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an anxiety specialist and anxious millennial myself, Generation Anxiety is a very helpful resource for these overly anxious generations. Dr. Lauren Cook is an expert in her field and has provided a ton of strategies from evidence based practiced, packed into one book. I highly recommend for both professionals and individuals wanting to tackle their anxiety.

[Tenny Minassian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! There were so many topics that I could relate to. I took a break from reading to process some emotions that came up, so it might be good to read it in segments based on your mood as well. As a millennial, I’m glad to have a resource like this to better understand anxiety and how to cope with it.

[Sam Rinaldi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Cook’s book is a must-read for anyone who is struggling with anxiety. The book is well-written, informative, and easy to understand. The book is packed with evidence-based research and relatable client experiences that make it an engaging read. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about anxiety and how to manage it.

[Rachelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Generation Anxiety... wonderful examples of real life clients are discussed through the author's perspective. She provides examples of her client's issues to supplement the research and explanations she provides throughout. Very detailed and great resources and exercises included to overcome personal issues, including past trauma, romantic, and career concerns.

[Tabitha · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars - A licensed clinical psychologist highlights some of the reasons why our generation seems to have been hit especially hard by anxiety while interweaving her own personal experiences along with experiences from her clients. Anxiety is a bear; remember that everyday that you show up and do what you need to do despite having anxiety, you are being brave.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well this took me a long time to finish! But I did buy it because I enjoyed it that much. I also underlined and almost studied it because there were that many practical tips for anxiety. The author writes in an easy to understand manner and uses good illustrations. She happens to have anxiety herself and is empathetic to her patients and readers.

[Mujahid Aziz · Rating 3 out of 5]

About 3.5 stars great should do a follow up...Now great guide to focus on the target micro - niche for the buyer market naturally digest content in the millennial & generation Z…To promote to additional audience to maximum the outcome of stream presentation. Great resource book for that matter Dr. Lauren Cook #MeTooMovement. G Code Unanimous live and direct...

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciate that this book is digestible and less dense than a lot of nonfiction, and do think it's great that it includes lots of actionable advice, exercises, and strategies. I can't say all of it resonated strongly with me, but there are definitely bits and pieces for me to think about while dealing with my own anxiety.

[Riley Sawyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found parts of this book really helpful with exercises I can do again and again as needed. While not every chapter was relatable to me, I found that most of the times the tips provided could be tailored to my needs. This is obviously not a replacement for therapy, but it's a really good introduction to some therapeutic ideas and methods that you can do on your own and I really appreciate that.

[Hallie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great, accessible primer for understanding & addressing anxiety. I love how the book is rooted in evidence-based principles while also appreciating the very significant impacts of CAM modalities on our mental health & well-being. 5 star read that I will be recommending to friends, family, and clients as an additional resource to bolster their repertoires of skills.

[Victoria Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. Really basic. Not really anything exciting or new about this book. I also had a HARD time listening to this one. The author reads the audiobook and it seems like she is trying to seem understanding, but comes off patronizing. Also, if she would talk a bit faster instead of trying to make an acting career, the book wouldn't take so long to get through.

[BLAIR GRAHAM · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.7 - like the honesty and variety of angles. Given the breadth of the discussion I didn’t relate to a few of the chapters, still interesting nonetheless. There were a few real lightbulb moments in the book for me. Thank you!

[Macy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A helpful approach to understanding and working with anxiety. Rather than presenting anxiety as something to be beaten, she suggests various ways to be productive and happy and human despite the anxiety. Sometimes it gets a bit more fuzzy than I normally prefer, but all in all insightful!

[Tabitha Justice · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not want I expected

[Carolyn Fitzpatrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

An empathetic and practical guide to living with day to day anxiety. While the focus is on Millennial and Gen Z, much of the advice is equally applicable to older generations.