The term “crashing out” has been floating around on the internet for a while now. If you’re unfamiliar with the phrase, it’s a term that has made its way to pop culture lately. To crash out means to be acting angry, anxious, confused, stressed out, or experiencing mental health issues, but unfiltered, dramatically, and often, loudly. It can describe a range of behaviour, from emotional outbursts to altercations to withdrawals.
Think: quitting your job in a spur of the moment, ending a relationship via social post, or vanishing from social media overnight with a cryptic “I’m done.” There are a lot of ways that “crashing out” can look, but like obscenity, you know it when you see it. For many in Gen Z, it’s becoming a common emotional experience, and the concept of it is often played for laughs on the internet and social media.
So, why are they crashing out?
Overstimulation and burnout culture
Crashing out, in this case, is when one’s body and mind give out because they haven’t had a moment to pause. Many of us, especially Gen Z, are expected to hustle, stay “booked and busy”, and have it all figured out by their early 20s. They’re not only tired; they’re exhausted, overwhelmed, and often feel like they’re not allowed to rest. Add that to the pandemic, economic instability, the rise of toxic productivity online, and you’ve got a recipe for burnout.
Issues with personal boundaries
Many struggle to set healthy limits, with the lines between work, school, social life, and rest getting blurrier in this time and age. Feeling guilty for turning off their phones, saying no to plans, or taking time for themselves are also one of the main causes. This lack of boundaries can lead to emotional fatigue and social withdrawal. Constant accessibility, endless scrolling, and being bombarded with everyone else’s opinions and achievements online can drain even the most energetic person. Over time, this builds up and manifests as crashing out.
Ways to overcome it
Take care of your physical well-being
In the midst of a crash out, body movement can be a powerful tool to release pent-up tension and emotions in the body. It can be as simple as a walk, some yoga stretches, or as gritty as visiting a “rage room”, where you get to smash and break things in a safe, controlled environment.
Turn to mindfulness
Breathwork is a powerful built-in calmer. Slow, deep breathing sends safety signals to the brain and can slow down a racing heart. Try doing a simple exercise each day: inhale for four counts, exhale for six counts, and repeat for a few minutes. This should start grounding you and bringing you back into the present moment.
Set digital boundaries
If you’re overwhelmed, it’s wise to limit recreational screen time to under 2 hours a day, turn off non-essential notifications, and prioritise offline activities and relationships. Doing this can reduce comparison-induced stress. Prevent doom-scrolling as much as possible because you don’t actually need to know immediately about every trending catastrophe.
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