Why Persistent Anxiety and Burnout Are Rising in 2026 – And What You Can Do About It

Persistent Anxiety & Burnout: The Post-Pandemic Legacy

In 2026, five years removed from the height of the pandemic, a troubling reality is quietly taking shape: an invisible epidemic of persistent anxiety and burnout has cemented itself as one of the most pervasive yet overlooked legacies of COVID-19. While the world has largely moved on from emergency declarations and daily case counts, the psychological aftermath—marked by unrelenting worry, emotional exhaustion, and deepening low moods—remains deeply embedded across America. For many, this takes the form of persistent anxiety and burnout; for others, it evolves into persistent anxiety and depression. And for a growing number, all three conditions overlap.

Recent data paints a sobering picture. According to the 2025-2026 Aflac WorkForces Report, burnout among American workers has reached a seven-year high, with nearly 3 in 4 employees (72%) reporting moderate to very high stress levels. But stress is only one layer. When persistent anxiety and burnout combine, the toll on energy, motivation, and job performance is severe. The numbers are even more stark for the youngest generations, with 66% of Gen Z reporting burnout, surpassing already high rates of millennials at 58%. A 2025 study found that 66% of all American employees are currently experiencing some form of burnout, and a large subset also report symptoms of persistent anxiety and depression. Notably, clinicians are observing similar patterns of anxiety and depression in teens, suggesting that the post-pandemic mental health crisis extends well beyond the workforce and into school-aged populations.

The Mounting Crisis: Persistent Anxiety, Burnout, and Depression by the Numbers

The data show that persistent anxiety and burnout have become defining features of post-pandemic work life, while persistent anxiety and depression have reshaped the broader mental health landscape. Behavioral health utilization in the U.S. has surged by 62.6% since 2018, with anxiety disorders seeing the highest growth at 89.3% and depressive disorders following closely behind. Between 2018 and 2024, behavioral health visits climbed to 1,346 per 1,000 people. Concurrently, Gallup reports that current depression rates have risen dramatically among adults younger than 30, more than doubling from 13.0% in 2017 to 28.0% in 2026. That means more than one in four young adults now lives with what clinicians would call persistent anxiety and depression.

Further research reveals the long-term nature of this crisis. A longitudinal study published in Psychiatry Research found that post-COVID psychiatric complications—including persistent anxiety and depression, mood changes, and cognitive issues—persist up to 24 months after infection. The data indicates an increase, between nearly two and four times, in the likelihood of psychiatric complications at follow-up points throughout that period.

Meanwhile, persistent anxiety and burnout have their own distinct trajectory. Another study examining over 1.3 million patients at Montefiore Medical Center found that COVID-19 patients were more likely to develop anxiety compared to non-COVID patients, with Black and Hispanic patients at particularly higher risk. For many, that anxiety crystallizes into workplace burnout. A prospective UK cohort study tracking 285 adults found that a quarter of participants continued to worry every day about the virus even after all legal restrictions were withdrawn, and 13% reported persistently severe symptoms of both anxiety and depression—while a separate cohort continued to struggle with persistent anxiety and burnout long after returning to in-person work.

The Burnout Breakdown: When Exhaustion Takes Over

Burnout is no longer confined to high-pressure industries. It has become a universal feature of the American workplace, and it frequently coexists with persistent anxiety and burnout as a self-reinforcing cycle. A staggering 72% of employees say burnout diminishes their efficiency, 71% say it hurts their overall job performance, and 65% say it weakens their ability to serve customers. The consequences extend beyond productivity; 56% of workers report that burnout impacts their attendance, and burned-out employees are nearly three times more likely to plan on leaving their employer in the coming year.

This burnout crisis is taking a massive toll on businesses. Research estimates that burnout-related issues cost companies between $4,000 and $21,000 per employee per year. On a national scale, U.S. healthcare spending tied to workplace burnout—and the accompanying persistent anxiety and depression—is estimated to reach $190 billion annually. The impact is not just a human tragedy; it is a looming economic threat.

Younger workers are bearing the brunt of this crisis. A 2025 survey found that 83% of workers aged 25 to 34 and 81% of those aged 18 to 24 report being burned out. The situation is so severe that one in four workers report they have considered quitting their job because of the impact it has on their mental health, particularly when that impact includes persistent anxiety and burnout or persistent anxiety and depression.

Finding a Path Forward: Reclaiming Resilience

Despite the overwhelming data, there is a path forward. The very tools driving the crisis—technology and increased awareness—can also provide solutions. Telehealth utilization for mental health has risen from 32.4% of all telehealth diagnostic categories in Q1 2019 to 63.9% by October 2025, reflecting a massive shift toward accessible care. As more people seek help for persistent anxiety and burnout and persistent anxiety and depression, the stigma surrounding mental health is gradually eroding.

Employers are also beginning to adapt. Nearly 98% of HR and benefits leaders now say comprehensive mental health benefits—including screening and treatment for both persistent anxiety and burnout and persistent anxiety and depression—are essential to attracting and retaining talent. Many organizations are implementing manager training, return-to-work programs, and specialized care to address the rise in complex conditions. The most powerful insight from the 2025-2026 Aflac WorkForces Report is that employees who feel they belong experience significantly less stress (30% vs. 56%) and lower burnout (55% vs. 78%) than those who don’t.

The Unspoken Legacy of Our Time

The post-pandemic legacy is not one of heroic recovery, but one of persistent anxiety and burnout for millions of workers, and persistent anxiety and depression for millions more. The numbers are undeniable: from soaring behavioral health utilization to a burned-out workforce costing billions, the emotional residue of COVID-19 has reshaped the American psyche. Yet, the story is not one of hopelessness. By acknowledging the scale of the crisis, investing in accessible care, and fostering supportive workplace cultures, we have the tools to turn the tide. The first step is to stop suffering in silence and recognize that persistent anxiety and burnout and persistent anxiety and depression are not signs of personal failure, but a collective legacy that demands our urgent attention.