Back to school marketing starts earlier and earlier. Sales are in full swing by July in some areas. In a society searching for peace and the ability to be more present, these early marketing campaigns can create a lot of stress and overwhelm – for parents and students.

Parents, how you respond to stress can transfer to your children. Acting as a role model during this busy time is perhaps one of the greatest lessons you can teach your children – how to stay cool and in control under pressure.

How do you manage back to school with your health and sanity in tact? Finding tools that work for you is personal. Need help getting started? Not a parent myself, I reached out to a few moms and dads I know for suggestions. Below are their responses. Maybe they resonate or maybe you have another strategy that works better for you. Either way, if it helps you and your family feel better and stay healthy during back to school, that’s all that matters.

Plan Ahead. Prepare lunch, an outfit and get the back pack ready the night before. With this night before preparation you take fewer steps in the morning, freeing up time for other activities or a peaceful start to the day.

Get plenty of sleep. Go to bed on time and get up when the alarm clock rings. This will ensure you have the energy you need to get moving first thing in the morning.

Self-care. Practices like meditation, exercise, Reiki and yoga can help ease the burden of stress and worry you might experience as a parent when your kids head off to school. One parent, who is also a Reiki practitioner, suggested learning Reiki for yourself and then teaching it to your family for their own use. Self-care and family time all in one!

Remember it’s temporary. Back to school happens every year and lasts just a short time. Keeping the time frame in perspective helps a lot.

Set and Stick to a Budget. The temptation is to buy everything in order to keep up with friends. Yes, you want your kids to be happy and have what they need. If you want to avoid future stress, set and stick to a budget that makes sense for your family.

Be thankful. Be thankful for the family you do have – others may not be as lucky.

Breathe. When you’re short on time and high on stress, one tool is always accessible to you –deep breaths. Deep breaths won’t get lunch made or the school bag packed, but it will help you feel better, lower your heart rate and clear your head. That’s a great first step. You can even practice this technique with your children and encourage them to use it if they feel stressed out during the school day.

This is a short list. What are your strategies for keeping your cool during the rush of back to school? Please share in the comments!

By Stacey Shipman

Stacey Shipman  is a healthy living advocate, speaker, writer, yoga teacher, publisher of HealthySouthShore.com and founder of the South Shore Wellness Professionals. She loves all things healthy living and when not working can be found hiking, biking, practicing yoga, cooking, at the beach, working on a jigsaw puzzle or relaxing in her backyard with her husband Michael. Contact her at www.staceyshipman.com, www.healthysouthshore.com or on Twitter @healthyss.

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