5 Tips to Ease Back-to-School Anxiety and Start the Year with Confidence

 There’s nothing like the late smell of summer and fresh morning dew on the first day back to school as teens prepare to meet their teachers. Notebooks and pens occupy the empty space of a backpack that’s ready to embrace another year of memories, while school buses reveal themselves from blocks away with their signals and headlights.

However, for many youth, what’s supposed to be a celebratory milestone in an adolescent’s life can jolt them awake with overwhelm and anxiety. Change can be scary, especially when a child or teen struggles with seasonal changes.

Nobody’s Perfect Community has pulled together a list of 5 tips to keep you and your loved ones feeling less anxious and more excited about going back to school this year. Check out our tips below and be sure to tune into Nobody’s Perfect wherever you get your podcasts.

1. Acknowledge Feelings of Sadness While Supporting Positive Memory Recall

Providing your child with a sense of belonging can alleviate last-minute nerves they might be experiencing. This can help them feel a sense of warmth while also preparing them for the changes ahead. Questions like: “What has been your best memory of summer that you’ll take with you into the upcoming school year?” followed by “What can we do to encourage a smooth start to the school year?” can go a long way.

2. Do a ‘Dry Run’ of Your Routine in Advance

This tactic can support a child in big ways. By offering them an opportunity to modify their routine in advance, you’re helping them avoid any unwanted surprises that could throw them off.

3. Encouraging Notes Go a Long Way

A message or note from a parent, caregiver, or friend can make a huge difference. Little post-it notes or even letters in a lunch box, backpack, or gym bag can serve as powerful reminders that your child is loved, supported, and on the right track.

4. Rethink Breakfast

It’s important to encourage healthy lifestyle habits, which includes staying hydrated and eating a healthy breakfast – but try not to force it. Anxiety has a major negative impact on the nervous system, specifically nerves in the digestive system. Light foods, like protein bars, smoothies, fruit, or granola are both healthy and won’t ‘shock’ a disgruntled stomach plagued by anxiety.

5. Embrace Calming Tactics the Night Before

This can range from purchasing weighted blankets, drinking chamomile tea, doing a face mask, listening to calming music, meditation, and other self-soothing techniques to keep your body feeling good and your mind feeling even better.

Nobody’s Perfect Community wishes you a happy, healthy, and successful start to the school year!

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