Back to School Anxiety: Tips for Parents
Parents and Caregivers can experience back to school Anxiety-unfortunately is not just the children. Going back to school can bring relief to a lot of families along with Anxiety. Generalized Anxiety Disorder is defined as “persistent feeling of anxiety or dread, which can interfere with daily life. It is not the same as occasionally worrying about things or experiencing anxiety due to stressful life events. People living with GAD experience frequent anxiety for months, if not years. “National Institute of Mental Health. Anxiety can increase when there is a change that one must adjust to. Changes in routine, school or work can cause anxiety. Back to school can be both an exciting and stressful time that may lead to an increase in anxiety symptoms.
Here are Three Tips on how to start preparing for back to school as a parent or caregiver.
1. Begin talking to your children about new school year at least 2-4 weeks before it begins specially if there are of any major changes (changes in school, relocation, new friend group etc.…)
2. Practice routines at least 1-2 weeks before school starts: this is important specially with sleeping and waking up times to slowly move to desired times
3. As parents we often forget about our own self-care and the time we may need to adjust to school routine. Looking at our self-care and routines and allowing self to make changes can also be helpful
It is important to remember that most adjustments to changes in routines can take three to six months. Going back to school may take time for you as a caregiver and the children to adjust. Practicing self-compassion can help. Self-compassion is being able to practice helpful self-talk with oneself, which is a lot more beneficial that negative or unhelpful self-care. Unhelpful self-talk increases anxiety and worry. Also, remembering that every school year is different helps along with not comparing or judging oneself so harshly. In time everyone will likely adjust and enjoy the school year. For now, taking it one day or one hour at a time can help.
If you are struggling with anxiety this back-to-school season therapy can help. We can teach you how to incorporate better routines to your day. We can help with creating self-care plans that work for you. Therapy can also help you learn and enhance current coping skills for anxiety such as self-compassion, self-care, relaxation skills or other mindfulness techniques.
