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The 2026 Winter Olympics was full of triumphs and trials for the athletes participating in the games. There are always moments that stand out long after the Olympics and Paralympics have ended. One such example was Alysa Liu’s ice skating programs. Four years ago, the 20-year-old had walked away from the sport entirely to protect her mental health. This year, she walked away from the Olympics with two gold medals around her neck.
Alysa Liu’s return to the ice conveys a powerful message about the importance of good mental health and how people can improve their health to work towards their goals. This article will cover 3 lessons we can learn from Alysa Liu about mental health and boundary setting.
Improving Mental Health Is a Process
Alysa Liu’s joyful skates in the Olympics were a far cry from where she was a few years ago, when she left the sport to protect her mental health. Her journey from struggling with the pressures to perform perfectly within the sport to being a gold medal champion is proof that improving mental health is a process and not an end goal. For Alysa, it meant taking a few years' break from her sport. For others, it may be utilizing mental health treatment options such as going to therapy or practicing mindfulness. The process of improving mental health is going to look different for everyone. Lifebulb has qualified therapists near you who could help you start your journey towards better mental health today.
Setting Boundaries Is Important
When Alysa Liu returned to the ice, she set boundaries within the sport. She decided that when she came back, she would be the one deciding what ice skating looked like for her. This involved picking her own music, setting her own nutritional regimen, and setting her own hours. With her being the director of her skating and not other people, she found the joy and freedom on the ice that people across the world would tune into the Olympics to see.
Boundary setting for both sports and life is important for improving mental health. Whether the boundaries are for a recreational or elite sport, a job, or a relationship, boundary setting is vital for preserving peace of mind.
Some strategies for healthy boundary setting include:
- Start with your Goal in Mind: When you set a boundary, it is important to think about what you want to get out of the boundary. For example, it may be something such as joy within a job or sport, or a healthy communicative relationship. When you set the initial boundaries, it is important to know what you want to get out of it so that you can shift the boundaries to meet your needs.
- Be Specific: After you have set your boundaries, it is important to make sure that you communicate them clearly. You may also have to reinforce them when needed.
- Know What To Do If Your Boundary is Crossed: Hopefully, once you set your clear boundaries, people will not cross them. But if they do, it can be important to have a plan to move forward.
Learn how to address a crossed boundary in this article.
Find a therapist near you today for help with boundary setting in your life.
Focus on What Matters
When Alysa Liu returned to ice skating, she changed her focus. She decided that what mattered to her was her family and her happiness within the sport. Before and after her skates in the Olympics, Liu could be seen making heart gestures at the stands, towards her family. Her skates on the ice felt more like a celebration than a competition. She focused on the things that were important to her, and that helped her be successful. When setting goals in life, it is important to have the motivating factors behind them in mind and not strive for perfection. This could be a simple mindset shift, such as changing statements from “I want to be the best” to “I want to do my best”.
Conclusion
The lessons we can take away from Alysa Liu about the importance of focusing on mental health can be applied to all aspects of life, not just sports. Mental health is an important factor in daily life, and focusing on it can help to bring higher productivity and achievement. The Olympics and Paralympics are inspiring because they are constant examples of how people can persevere through challenges and complete unbelievable feats. With the Winter Paralympics for 2026 on the horizon, it is exciting to think about the next stories and accomplishments we will get to see unfold.
If you are ready to focus on your mental health, Lifebulb has a team of qualified counselors who cannot wait to meet you and help you get started. Find a therapist near you today to learn more.
