Burnout in Children and Teens: What Alyssa Liu’s Comeback Can Teach Us about Childhood Self-care

Written by: Julianne Beaulieu, LCSW

The 2026 Winter Olympics were full of powerful athletic performances and moving personal stories from athletes throughout the world. One particular story that struck most of the world was that of Alysa Liu - the 20 year-old Gold medal winner who returned from retiring in 2022 at just age 16. Not only were crowds stunned by her flawless performance, but also by her consistent, clear messages about her experience with burnout and how that experience changed her perspective coming into the 2026 games. Liu retired at 16 years old after an already highly successful 11-year figure skating career due to trauma she experienced as a result of being overworked and overcontrolled by the adults in her life (Adler et al., 2026). 

Her comeback this year was reflective of the time she spent away from the sport and recovering from the burnout she had experienced. Her comeback also raised questions and criticism about a young person experiencing burnout - how could a healthy, supported child like Liu experience burnout? And can it happen to my child, too? The simple answer is yes - burnout can be experienced by anyone of any age, socioeconomic status, or race. 

What is burnout?

The American Psychological Association defines burnout as “physical, emotional, or mental exhaustion accompanied by decreased motivation, lowered performance, and negative attitudes towards oneself and others” (APA Dictionary of Psychology, 2018). Burnout is most often associated with feelings of overwhelm and a stress overload. Among adults, burnout is typically experienced in relation to their job and increased stress as a result of overwhelming expectations. Though children may not have a traditional job, they hold several roles in their life: student, athlete, sibling. Their main occupation as they grow is to PLAY! When considering how burnout may show up in your child’s life, it can be helpful to examine each “job” your child has and how they function in those spaces. 

What are signs to look out for in my child/children? 

A notable feature of burnout is fatigue and an overall decrease in motivation and/or interest in activities. For a child, this may look like apathy, procrastination, and irritability. Maybe your child always started his homework right after-school but now requires several reminders and still complains or procrastinates while completing it. Maybe they seem to have a shorter fuse at home, getting into fights with their sibling over seemingly nothing. 

It’s important to note that there may be other causes besides burnout for these symptoms. If a noticeable change in your child’s mood or behavior occurs, be sure to consult with their pediatrician. Ruling out underlying causes can better pinpoint what areas of their life may be increasing their stress load. 

After ruling out any underlying causes, consider your child’s schedule: are they in extracurricular activities every day? Are they getting enough sleep at night (teenagers typically need 9-10 hours of sleep)? Have they had time for fun activities lately? Zooming out of your regular routine can highlight areas of overwhelm that may typically go unnoticed. 

How can we prevent burnout?

One way to prevent burnout is to ensure your child’s schedule is well-balanced. This will look different for every child, but there are a few ways to monitor this as a parent. The first way would be to encourage your child to explore a variety of interests and extracurricular activities instead of only one option. Research has shown that adolescents who overtrain in one sport and/or team have an increased likelihood for experiencing burnout (Brenner & The Council on Sports Medicine and Fitness, 2007, 1242-1245). Alysa Liu reported that overtraining in figure skating in her childhood led to her increased stress and eventual retirement from the sport. Liu also mentioned that much of the stress associated with her sport was due to the pressure from her father and coaching team. She had little say in what her schedule looked like, who coached her, and how her time would be spent (Adler et al., 2026).

When you notice signs of burnout from your child, carve out space to acknowledge how your child may be feeling, providing them with language that may feel inaccessible when overwhelmed with stress. Starting from a point of understanding and connection will let them know they’re not alone. Research has shown that adolescents and teens who demonstrate a secure attachment to their caregivers are less likely to experience symptoms of burnout. This is due, in part, to those individuals being better able to access emotion regulation tools that support stress management (Iuga et al., 2023, 1443).

Additionally, create time in your child’s schedule for relaxation and fun! A few minutes of both of these can go a long way. Relaxation can be as simple as a hot bath, getting outside to stretch or walk, or even watching a guided meditation on YouTube. Introducing emotional regulation tools to your child can empower them to handle challenging emotions on their own. It’s important to remember that our children are social beings! Make time each week for fun activities, and maybe include a friend or two to help your child connect with his social supports. 

How do we recover from burnout? 

To recover from burnout, we must reduce demands. This may include reducing extracurricular activities and increasing time for rest and play. Yes, even our pre-teens and teenagers need time to play! Though interests and ideas for play change as we age, it remains a consistent outlet for expression, processing of our experiences, and can help children and teens connect with their friends. Additionally, it’s important to consult with your child’s pediatrician to monitor any changes to their health, paying particular attention to sleep and nutrition. 

Encourage your child to explore activities outside of what they were previously involved with. When Liu retired in 2022, she didn’t touch a pair of skates for two years. Instead, she spent time taking hikes, spending time with friends, traveling to new places, and registering for college classes (Adler et al., 2026). Give your child an opportunity to get curious about what else is out there for them, providing them opportunities to make choices of their own. 

Additionally, your child may need support with setting and upholding boundaries. Limit necessary work time for homework or other necessary responsibilities to short, scheduled durations. Boundaries are also important when paying attention to your child’s sleep schedule - implementing relaxation strategies like reducing screen time and reading before bed can support your child’s regulation and teach them strategies to support their well-being.

Lastly, listen to your child’s signals. While increased anxiety can lead us to avoid scary experiences, it’s important to recognize when our nervous system needs a break. It can be tricky to determine when to push our children and when to provide extra support - if you find this becomes challenging, seek out additional mental health support for yourself and your child. 

Liu’s comeback represents an increasingly common experience for youth who face overwhelming expectations, but she also has shown us how important it is to acknowledge the signals our body is sending us and address them head-on. Burnout is a common experience, but it can be prevented. Curating a supportive, balanced environment for your child can help them recover. 

References

Adler, K. W., Ahdout, R. L., & Stannard, C. (2026, February 19). Alysa Liu on Her Return to Figure Skating and the 2026 Winter Olympics. ELLE. Retrieved March 11, 2026, from https://www.elle.com/culture/celebrities/a70208921/alysa-liu-figure-skating-comeback-winter-olympics-2026-interview/ 

APA Dictionary of Psychology. (2018, April 19). APA Dictionary of Psychology. Retrieved March 11, 2026, from https://dictionary.apa.org/burnout

Brenner, J. S., & The Council on Sports Medicine and Fitness. (2007). Overuse Injuries, Overtraining, and Burnout in Child and Adolescent Athletes. Official Journal of The American Academy of Pediatrics, 119(6), 1242-1245. https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/119/6/1242/70751/Overuse-Injuries-Overtraining-and-Burnout-in-Child?guestAccessKey= 

Iuga, I. A., David, O. A., & Danet, M. (2023). Student Burnout in Children and Adolescents: The Role of Attachment and Emotion Regulation. Children, 10(9), 1443. https://www.mdpi.com/2448216