Reduce Back-to-School Anxiety and Stress
Most children have been in school for a week or so by early September. While most students return to school excited to see friends, play sports, and resume their classes, many find the return stressful. For most parents, the back-to-school season can be hectic; however, it’s important to keep an eye on children for the first few weeks of school to monitor their stress and anxiety levels.
According to the American Psychological Association (“APA”), symptoms of stress may include separation anxiety, changes in mood or behavior, nervousness, and loss of sleep. Has your child been experiencing stress or anxiety symptoms since returning to school? It’s not too late to reduce stress and anxiety and make the return to school a pleasant one for both you and your child. The APA and the U.S. Department of Education suggest the following tips to alleviate back-to-school stress and anxiety:
Discuss worries
One of the best and easiest ways to understand how your child is coping with the return to school is by talking with them. Ask your child how the first few weeks of school have been, and if there have been unexpected fears or obstacles. After finding out what their worries are, make sure to ask about positive experiences, and discuss ways in which negative experiences can be turned into positive ones.
Show support
The APA recommends letting children know you understand what they’re going through, and that you’ll always be there to support them. However, it’s important to tell children that while change can be hard, it’s can also be exciting and rewarding. Let children know it’s completely normal to feel a little nervous during the first few weeks of school, but that it’s important to face their fears, as well.
Implement a routine
After a fun-filled long summer, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by back-to-school demands. If you and your child have been struggling to adjust to earlier wake-up calls and after-school commitments, it’s important to establish and maintain a reasonable schedule for sleep, homework, and activities. A routine can help children previously stressed over schoolwork to dedicate time to homework and projects, and even allow for more restful sleep.
Try new activities
Ask your child whether its schoolwork or commitments to extracurricular activities that have been causing them stress and anxiety since returning to school. Many times, children will feel overextended, but don’t want to “quit” a particular sport or activity. Let your child know it’s okay to quit an activity if they feel it’s interfering with schoolwork. Additionally, offer to help them find a new activity that better aligns with their interests and time commitments.
Ask for help
Although most back-to-school anxiety and stress can be easily resolved, there are instances when parents and children would benefit more by talking with a professional. The APA noted that seeking advice from a mental health professional can help both parents and children better cope with more severe levels of anxiety and stress throughout the year.
