5 Tips to Reduce Back to School Stress

Summer is almost over and It’s back to school for Louisiana.  Did you know that back to school anxiety issues can be very common in children and teens? There are an estimated 18 million children and teens who suffer from anxiety. Because the start of a new school year can trigger or worsen anxiety in stressed-out children and teens,  All American Healthcare Louisiana offers the following health tips for parents to help ease back-to-school anxiety for their kids and perhaps themselves.  – All American Healthcare Louisiana

 Here are 5 Tips to Reduce Back to School Stress:

1.  Keep a Schedule: Summer’s been pretty relaxed—and so have your family rules, about bedtime, screen time, snacking. But the kids are back in school and you want to restore your discipline plan. Easier said than done?  Structure, organization, predictability and order are great ways to reduce anxiety in children.  Maybe, have regular family dinners that include discussions to set clear expectations.  For example, parents can share that schedules change in the summer, but now the family needs new back-to-school rules everyone can agree to.  During the dinner meeting, set expectations and make a point to emphasize that these rules have to be helpful, respectful and ones the whole family can live with.  

They also benefit kids by helping them learn listening and problem-solving skills and cooperation. Use the dinner discussion to get your kids’ input on proper school night bedtimes, amounts of screen time when homework is in the picture and healthier eating habits.

2. Prioritize sleep: Sleep is essential to your child’s well-being, learning and growth and is especially important if your child struggles with anxiety. Ideally, your child’s sleep schedule should transition from late nights to proper school night bedtime 2 to 3 weeks prior to school starting, gradually getting earlier. Dealing with stress and feelings of anxiety can be exhausting.  Even if the school year has already started, help your child develop healthy sleep habits.

3. Ditch the processed food and sugar: Studies suggest that processed foods and sugar greatly impacts children’s behavior, well being and health including increasing anxiety chemicals in the brain.  Guide your child away from sugar and processed foods to decrease stress levels. All American Healthcare Louisiana, recommends healthy snacks such as whole fruit or greek yogurt (low sugar) and if a sugary treat is unavoidable, be sure to add some protein along with it. Try a handful of nuts, string cheese, a portion of low sugar yogurt or a glass of milk.

4. Keep your family physically active: One of the healthiest ways to reduce stress is to get regular exercise. Families can work exercise easily into their schedules by walking or biking after dinner, playing a sport or doing some physical activity that they enjoy.  Starting now and keeping a regular exercise practice throughout your lifetime can help you live longer and enjoy your life more.