When we think of being “burned out” we typically think of adults working intense hours and juggling a plethora of responsibilities. Yet, feeling mental, physical, and emotional exhaustion is not solely limited to adults. Teen burnout in the performing arts can be a serious concern.
Many teens today are managing multiple responsibilities on top of academic pressures and are especially vulnerable. For some, as the end of the year preparations begin to pile on top of their already intense load, they may begin to show signs of teen burnout, even for the performing art they love.
Performing Arts are Demanding
Adolescents in the performing arts are often committed to hours of practice and rehearsals. This is true year-round, and comes with the territory. Yet, as the last of the school year’s recitals, shows, exhibitions, summer auditions, and showcases loom on the horizon, the intensity of the commitment often increases. This is often at the same time that standardized testing is taking place, as well as final projects and papers are entering a countdown for their due dates.
Warning Signs for Burnout
You may start noticing a decrease in time, attention and interest in the activities where your teen typically excels. Suddenly, they are not putting in the time to practice, may be dragging when it’s time to go to rehearsal and don’t seem as invested as you’d expect given their previous passion. This may be a sign that they are dealing with a season of burnout.
Red Flags
Here are some red flags to look for if you are concerned about a shift in your teens’ commitment to their art.
Being Constantly Tired and Unmotivated
Feeling constantly exhausted and lacking motivation can be a sign of burnout. Your teen may seem drained and no longer excited about things they used to enjoy or look forward to such as dance rehearsal.
Struggling to Sleep and Rest
Burnout can mess with teen sleep patterns, making it hard for them to fall asleep or stay asleep. Even when they do rest, they may not feel refreshed, leaving them still feeling tired after many hours of sleep. You may notice your teen staying up worrying about a performance and getting everything right. When they do manage to get some sleep, they report feeling just as tired as they were when they went to bed.
Making Careless Mistakes
When we are feeling burned out, it’s harder to focus, which can lead to making more mistakes than usual. You may notice your teen making more mistakes both on and off stage, and it might make them feel frustrated. For example, teen actors may find themselves forgetting lines during rehearsals even though they put in plenty of practice time.
Fun Things Feel Like Stressful Obligations
Activities that were bringing your teen joy might start feeling like chores. Even things they used to love doing might feel overwhelming. Your teen may go from loving playing in the pep band, to resenting the time the rehearsals and game performances require. The shift may feel notable to you as a parent as the change in attitude may feel swift and confusing as nothing about the expectations has changed.
Crashing After Bursts of Energy
Burnout can cause your teen to experience sudden bursts of energy followed by crashing exhaustion. This can make it hard to sustain their energy levels consistently even when they want to. Your teen may feel a surge of energy heading into a rehearsal, but finds it hard to sustain the energy level necessary to make progress. They may report feeling completely drained after rehearsal and unable to engage in any other activity.
Feeling Your Contributions Do Not Matter
When teens are burned out, they might start to feel like their efforts aren’t making a difference. This can lead to feelings of frustration and disillusionment. Your teen may be putting in hours of practice for jazz ensemble, but feels as though the director never sees this. They may start to wonder if all of their hard work is even worth it or is helping contribute to the success of the band.
Excessive Irritability
Snapping at small things or getting angry with people for things that never were an issue in the past may be a sign of burnout in teens. Your usually patient and easygoing teen may start snapping at their younger siblings for making too much noise, getting in their way or other minor offenses. Where you may have not given a thought to asking your teen a question in the past, you may find yourself contemplating when and where to make a simple request to avoid blowback. While this can be a sign of a larger concern, it can also be a situational response to their current pressures. Be sure to check in with them to help you determine if they need outside assessment.
Constant Procrastination
When teens are burned out, even simple tasks begin to feel overwhelming, leading them to put them off until the last minute or avoid them altogether. You teen may have set aside time to practice for their end of the year recital, yet, when that time comes each day, they always tell you “it’s fine, I still have plenty of time.”
Unable to Motivate Even When You Want To
Despite wanting to do well and feeling motivated in theory, burnout can make it hard to actually get started on tasks or follow through with plans. Your teen may actually sit down at the time they allocated for practice, but instead of working on the parts of the piece they are struggling with, they may go over the parts they know well, and feel too overwhelmed to work on the more challenging material.
How to Help
If you notice your teen exhibiting signs of burnout, there are several things you can do to help them cope:
Encourage Open Communication
Let your teen know that it’s okay to talk to you about how they’re feeling. Listen to their concerns without judgment and offer support and understanding. If they bring up quitting, be open to a deeper conversation about the pros and cons. Suggest waiting until after the end of the school year to make any significant changes.
Promote Healthy Habits
Support your teen in prioritizing self-care. Create an environment where their bedroom is set up to encourage getting enough sleep. Ask them what healthy foods they like and keep them stocked to facilitate eating nutritious meals and snacks. Model taking breaks when needed. Help them find ways to relax and unwind that work for them and remind them to schedule and protect this time with the same dedication as a rehearsal.
Set Realistic Expectations
Help your teen set realistic goals and expectations for themselves, both in their performing arts activities and in other areas of their life. If they or you feel that there are unnecessary pressures that can be eliminated, help them find a way to take these off of their plate. This may mean advocating for themselves with teachers, mentors, directors to cut back on the demands where possible.
Provide Emotional Support
Let your teen know that you’re there for them no matter what. Offer encouragement and reassurance, and remind them that their worth is not determined by their achievements. Let them know you will do your best to avail them of any support they feel might be helpful.
If your teen’s symptoms of burnout persist or worsen, consider seeking help from a mental health professional. A therapist or counselor can provide additional support and guidance tailored to your teen’s needs.
Conclusion
When we think of being “burned out,” we often associate it with adults juggling intense workloads and responsibilities. However, burnout isn’t exclusive to adults; teenagers, especially those involved in the performing arts, can also experience it.
By recognizing the signs of burnout and offering appropriate support, parents can help their teens navigate through challenging times and rediscover their passion for the performing arts while maintaining their overall well-being.
