Orlando, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) — It’s not just adults feeling the weight of daily stress. More than half of students today are showing signs of academic burnout. And nearly one in 10 youth athletes report feeling burnt out from sports.
Schoolwork, sports, clubs, social life, kids today are juggling a lot! For many, it’s a recipe for one thing: burnout.
“With burnout, it’s usually a cumulative effect, so the stress has been going on for a long time,” said Flora Torra, Licensed School Psychologist.
Signs of burnout typically include physical and mental exhaustion, low energy, irritability, changes in appetite, slipping grades in school, low motivation, changes in sleep, and withdrawal from social activities.
“And the other thing is you’re going to get kind of numb. You kind of shut down,” said Torra.
So how can you help if your child is overwhelmed and burned out? Start by taking a step back. Prioritize their schedule and see what can be cut to make space for rest and fun. Set a regular bedtime, and encourage stress-relief habits like breathing exercises, journaling, and mindfulness. But experts also suggest trying a weekly “do-nothing hour” — no screens, no structure just space to unwind. Teach micro-mindfulness, like 30-second breathing breaks. Use the “drop one” rule each season to ease the load, and model slowing down yourself.
“A lot of it is for the parents to connect with their child on a regular basis,” explained Torra.
Experts say burnout builds up over time, while anxiety often centers around future worries. The two can overlap but both deserve attention. The good news? Small, consistent changes at home can make a big difference. And if burnout persists, therapists can help kids develop healthy tools to manage stress.
Contributors to this news report include: Julie Marks, Producer; Bob Walko, Editor.
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Sources:
https://geediting.com/gb-8-ways-to-spot-burnout-in-your-children/
https://www.seyhart.com/blog/anxiety-or-burnout-tell-the-difference-and-solutions-to-help
