How to keep your cool when everyone heads back to school.
It’s that time of year again. The smell of fresh notebooks and packs of pencils wafts through the halls of every school in the county. The back-to-school season fills some kids and parents with excitement – and fills almost everyone with a little bit of stress. Between getting in the groove of a new, much busier schedule, learning pickup times and class schedules, and finding motivation to get homework done, it’s a lot. There is good news. First, we’re all in this together. Secondly, there are a few things you can do to manage back-to-school stress.
Back-to-school stress management tips.
- Practice self-care. During this busy time of year, it’s easy to push yourself and your kids to your limits. Everyone’s schedules get so full taking time to rest and recuperate might be the last thing on your mind. But don’t fall into the trap of burning the candle at both ends! Taking care of yourself is key when life gets hectic. Make sure both you and your kids are getting plenty of sleep, staying involved in activities you love, and simply kicking back when you’re feeling exhausted. If you’re feeling really worn down, this is the perfect time to try a new stress management activity like meditation or yoga. Whether you invest ten minutes or a few hours, you’re investing in yourself. When you’re feeling your best, you’re much better equipped to handle this hectic time of year.
- Eat right. If you had the luxury of a more lax schedule this summer, the hassle of packing everyone’s lunches probably already feels like a burden. Don’t let that be an excuse to turn to packaged foods, though. Both you and your kids will benefit from whole, plant-based foods. The fuel you put into your body powers it. Junk will make you tired, while plenty of fruits, veggies, and quality protein will help everyone feel energized and focused. Yes, that means dragging everyone out of bed with their morning alarms and getting them to sit down for homework time might be easier. And isn’t that worth taking a few extra minutes to pack a nutritious lunch?
- Monitor moods. Back-to-school stress is major for kids who have to learn a whole new schedule and set of names. If your kids are introverted, this is especially taxing. During this critical time, keep an eye on their moods. If one of your kids is coming home from school quiet, tired, or just plain sad, start asking questions. Identifying a scholastic challenge or potential bully early in the year – when it’s easier to find a solution – can make all the difference in how your son or daughter feels about going to school each day. And anyone who has had a job they hated knows how important it is to get out of a bad situation early.
- Set a schedule – with some breathing room. There’s no getting around it. This time of year is busy. Creating some structure in that busyness can help everyone better manage the stress it brings. Setting bedtimes and predetermined homework hours can help everyone set up healthy habits that they can carry through the year. But don’t fill the schedule exclusively with productivity-based activities. Everyone needs balance. It can be helpful to remember the acronym PDF: playtime, downtime, and family time. If you and your kids aren’t getting plenty of all three (and yes – you deserve playtime, too!), you’ll feel burnt out quickly. To ensure your kids are getting enough sleep – the most important downtime of all – you can use this handy guide from the National Sleep Foundation.
Back-to-school stress is no joke. These tips will help you identify it and take action to reduce it, but you might want or need help. Our dedicated team of therapists at the Ventura Counseling & Wellness Center is here for you and your kids. If you want to talk to someone about any challenges the school year has brought up, call or email us today!
