Carolyn J. Braden • 3 Minute Read
How to Beat Back to School Anxiety
Article originally posted: 7/27/21
Article updated: 7/24/24
As many now are dealing with getting ready to go back to school, it can create some anxiety. No matter what happens, it’s important for parents, teachers and students to do their very best to deal with any anxieties as they start to happen so they don’t get worse. Here are some ways you can beat back to school anxiety this year from myself, a former teacher.
1- Set a Schedule
Back to school anti-anxiety tip one: Set a Schedule
When starting a routine, it’s important to set a schedule and stick to it. To help ease into a routine, it’s a good idea to start it at least a week before the actual event will occur. This will help you figure out things like:
who will be in charge of school outfits/uniforms?
who will be in charge of lunches/lunch money?
who will be in charge of carpools?
who will be in charge of making sure homework is done or papers are signed?
who will make the dinners?
what’s the best time for bed?
what’s the best time to wake up?
etc.
2- Create an “Anti-Anxious Activities” Bowl
Back to school anti-anxiety tip two: Create Flash Cards
Come up with some activities that help your kids feel calm. Make it a family affair and have everyone help. Write the activities down on small pieces of paper and place them in a bowl or jar. Have your children choose an activity to do from the bowl when they are feeling stressed or anxious. Adults can use the same topics or can create their own bowl or jar. The activities are like “positive time-outs”.
If you are dealing with anxiety, a set of grounding sheets may help. Learn about grounding sheets in my 1 minute video above or via my YouTube channel @carolynjbraden.
Cutting Up Back to School Anti-Anxiety Cards
Can’t come up with any ideas? Use mine! Gain access to my 24 FREE cards by clicking the button below. You can print them out on your home printer and cut them yourself.
Free Printable Anti-Anxiety Cards
3-Keep People “In the Know”
Back to school anti-anxiety tip three: Keep People In-the-Know
If you know your child is dealing with anxiety, it’s a good idea to inform their educators so they can be prepared. Being a former teacher, I always appreciated parents keeping me informed of their children’s feelings and any life events that affected their behavior, especially if they were too young or too shy to tell me themselves. Grab some more back-to-school tips from the Princeton Review here.
If you are an adult and are dealing with anxiety, tell others about your feelings. Talking about them with a friend, family member or an experienced therapist will always help ease some anxious feelings.
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C.J. Braden is a regular contributor for Carolyn’s Blooming Creations. She has been featured in numerous media publications such as InStyle Magazine, on HGTV, on Bustle.com, and more. She is the author of the books Georgia McMasters in Amethyst Lake Cemetery, How To Be Yourself: 3 Little Ways to Get Back To You Being You, and the illustrator for the children’s book Bridging Connections. She is a former classroom teacher that now dedicates her life to educating others on how to live their most healthy, creative and happy life. Learn more about her by clicking here.