The Exhaustion of Always Being Available: Therapy for Young Adults in Bay Shore, NY Learning to Step Back

Written By Jennifer Campbell
Close-up of someone holding a smartphone, representing the pressure of always being available explored through boundaries therapy for young adults in Bay Shore, NY.

I’ve had the absolute privilege of teaching at the college level for nearly 20 years. To give some context of just how much things have changed: my very first year of teaching was the exact same year the first iPhone came out.

Back then, email was something that was checked when a person finally sat down at a desktop computer. Nobody was getting pinged by the boss while buying groceries, because a trusty flip phone or slide-keyboard phone simply wasn't built for that.

I count myself lucky to have grown up in a world of limited technology. But for Millennials (born 1981–1996) and Gen Z (born 1997–2012), the digital world is the only world they’ve ever really known.

For many young adults navigating this always-connected world, learning how to create healthy limits with technology and relationships is an important part of growth. This is why boundaries therapy for young adults in Bay Shore, NY, with a therapist for young adults can provide meaningful support in building balance and self-care.

When Always Being “On” Keeps the Nervous System on High Alert

Right now, the young adults of the Millennial and Gen Z generations make up the majority of the U.S. workforce, while navigating massive life milestones, such as graduating, growing their careers, getting married, and raising kids.

Because these young adults entered the workforce during an era of rapid technological advancement, they’ve only ever known a world where employees are expected to be virtually connected 24/7.

Sure, this sounds amazing. Yay for flexibility! Anyone can answer an email from their kid's soccer game! But in reality? It has totally blurred the line between work and real life.

The Emotional Toll of a Culture That Expects Constant Access

When a person is always reachable, it can feel like they are always on the clock. And that constant availability comes with a hefty psychological price tag:

  • Self-Abandonment: When people start prioritizing everyone else’s urgent requests over their own basic well-being.

  • Diminished Value: When an individual is too available, people start to take their time for granted.

  • Emotional Depletion: When a person is constantly pouring energy out, but nothing is pouring back in.

Don’t just take my word for it. A recent 2026 journal article by researchers Renk and Sutter analyzed 17 different studies published between 2010 and 2025. They wanted to see what happens to people when they are expected to be available around the clock.

The results? Extended work availability was directly linked to higher stress, intense burnout, worse physical health, diminished mental health, and major work-life conflict.

Why Boundaries Are the Key to Preventing Burnout

Close-up of someone answering a smartphone, illustrating communication demands and boundary challenges addressed in boundaries therapy for young adults in Bay Shore, NY.

So, how do we continue without throwing our phones into the Great South Bay?

According to Renk and Sutter's research, there is one powerful strategy that protects people from the negative side effects of constant connectivity: Boundary Setting.

"Personal boundary management moderates the impact of work-related extended availability on work-family conflict and subsequent health outcomes."  (Renk & Sutter, 2026)

In plain language? The employees who build a wall between "work time" and "me time" are the ones who don't burn out. When people manage their boundaries, whether that's shutting off Teams/Slack at 5:00 PM, having a separate work phone, or just saying "no", they drastically lower their stress, which has a positive impact on their mental health.

Practical Ways to Create Work-Life Boundaries That Actually Stick

For anyone ready to take back their time without looking like they have gone rogue, try these effective strategies:

  • In the past, the physical commute from work created a natural buffer. When an individual left the office, they sat in traffic, and by the time they walked through the door, their brain had already shifted gears.  When a person works from home or constantly has their phone on them, that buffer disappears. Some ways to create a more tech-free transition are:

    • Creating a “Fake Commute” when the work-from-home day ends.  Choosing to go for a 10-minute walk, listen to a podcast, or engage in any enjoyable non-work activity for a short period helps in telling the brain “Work is officially over”.

    • Committing to not checking the phone for the first 30 minutes after the work day ends.  This gives a person time to reconnect with themselves and their personal lives.

  • Luckily, sheer willpower is not the only tool available, and technology can do some of the heavy lifting.

    • Set up a “Personal” focus mode on the phone that automatically starts at the end of the work day.  This feature can hide badges, notifications, and alerts from work apps, such as Slack, Outlook, and Teams, while continuing to allow texts from family and friends to come through.

    • Email notifications can be delivered in batches, which can be set up through the work email app.  This allows for email notifications to be delivered at specific times instead of in real time. 

    • Establish availability by using the parameters built into the calendar apps used by most businesses.  By setting working hours and location, the calendar will block out unavailable hours and only allow for scheduling during available hours.

Learning to Protect Your Time Without the Guilt

The first time a boundary is set may feel uncomfortable, with mixed feelings of guilt or anxiety. It is completely normal to feel this way, but pushing through the initial discomfort is how mental health can be improved and, most importantly, protected.

Remember, technology is a great servant, but a terrible master. It’s time to reclaim personal time, set those boundaries, and remember what it felt like back in the flip phone days. If you need extra support, therapy for young adults at B&B Well Counseling can help.

Find Balance With Boundaries Therapy for Young Adults in Bay Shore, NY

Young adult man smiling, symbolizing greater self-awareness, emotional balance, and healthier boundaries supported through boundaries therapy for young adults in Bay Shore, NY.

Always feeling the need to respond, help, and stay available can leave you feeling exhausted and disconnected from your own needs. If setting limits brings up guilt, anxiety, or the fear of disappointing others, support is available.

At B&B Well Counseling, boundaries therapy for young adults in Bay Shore, NY, provides a space to understand these patterns and build healthier ways to protect your time and energy.

Here’s how to begin:

  1. Schedule a consultation to discuss where you’re feeling overwhelmed and the boundaries you want to create.

  2. Start boundaries therapy for young adults in Bay Shore, NY, to explore what makes stepping back feel difficult and learn new coping strategies.

  3. Develop tools to communicate your needs, reduce burnout, and create more balance in your relationships and daily life.

Working with a therapist for young adults in Bay Shore, NY, can help you feel more grounded, confident, and comfortable prioritizing yourself.

Additional Therapy Services Available In-Person and Online

Beyond therapy for young adults, B&B Well Counseling provides support for adults, couples, children, pre-teens and teens. Online therapy is available throughout New York, making it easier to access care from wherever you are.

Our clinicians support clients navigating a range of concerns, including women’s mental health, neurodiversity, and intellectual disabilities. Whether you meet in Bay Shore or through virtual sessions, therapy is individualized, compassionate, and rooted in trauma-informed care.

Jennifer Campbell, therapist, smiling warmly, representing compassionate support and guidance through boundaries therapy for young adults in Bay Shore, NY.

About the Author: Jennifer Campbell, LMHC

Jennifer Campbell, LMHC, is a therapist with a background in mental health counseling and school counseling. She earned her Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Buffalo and her MS in School Counseling from Long Island University. Jennifer is passionate about supporting clients through their mental health journeys with compassion and understanding. Outside of her work, she enjoys crafting, kayaking, going to the movies, and spending time with her niece and nephew.

References

Jennifer Campbell
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