Back to School: 5 Ways to Make the Transition Gracefully and Stress-Free

As summer draws to a close and the days get shorter, we begin to prepare for a new season and a new school year for many. Whether it is oneself, children, or grandchildren, returning to school sparks many emotions and thoughts, from joy and promise to perhaps some anxiety and dread. The lazy days of summer, long days, and endless nights require us to change habits and get back into the swing of early mornings, busy schedules, and late nights studying as the air gets crisper and the leaves begin to fade from green to red, yellow, and orange. 

To make the transition gracefully and as stress-free as possible, here are five tips to help make the new school year memorable and full of laughter and fun:

1) Start Going to Bed Earlier:  Our circadian rhythms can get off kilter over the summer. The longer days and lack of an early morning rise can wreak havoc on the new fall sleep schedule. Start going to bed earlier a week or two before school starts. Even if it is just a ½ an hour each night, it will allow the body to adjust. As you wait for the sun to set earlier, darken the room if possible so the body can transition and get the natural melatonin flowin’! 

2) Reduce Screen Time Before Bed:  Blue light from our phones, iPads, and computers can also interrupt our quality and length of sleep. Instead of watching a video on an electronic device, select an excellent book to read. To help make this a fun way to relax and prepare for sleep, join our 66-day gratitude challenge and say, “I will read a book for 20 minutes before I go to bed – no electronic devices!” Take a few minutes each morning to journal how the new bedtime ritual made you feel. Hopefully, you can document your gratitude for a good night's sleep.

3) Prepare for School the Night Before:  One of the quickest ways to increase stress in the morning is not being prepared! Gather your schoolwork, place it back in the notebook or folder, and put it in your backpack. Lay out your clothes the night before. It can be a real dilemma some days figuring out what to wear, so decide before bed. My son used to wear his clothes to bed, which he would wear to school the next day. Though he might have been a little wrinkled, it saved time! And we all know every minute counts trying to get out the door in the morning.

4) Make Lunch the Night Before:  Preparing lunches in the morning is time-consuming, especially for those who work and have kids still in school. Prep as much as you can the night before. We all know that PB&J does not fare well overnight, so if that is on the menu, maybe you can get the main ingredients on the counter: peanut butter, plate, knife, bread bag, etc. Keep the jelly n the frig! Make little snack bags for the week, if possible, on Sunday night. Divide your servings of fruits, veggies, goldfish, or whatever you like, and have them ready to go. If you must do it once, you may as well do the week! One and done!

5)  Expect the Unexpected:  Nothing goes 100% according to plan, even with the best intentions. Try not to be so rigid in your schedule that when one evening or morning does not pan out as planned, know it is ok. You can get back on schedule the next day. We get sick, a homework assignment takes longer than you thought, or you need to wash the clothes and don’t get to it. Take a breath, count your blessings, and adjust accordingly. You do not need to discuss your feelings of frustration, but try not to let it ruin your day. Know you are not alone, and we all have setbacks. 

So, let’s embrace this new season, cherish the memories created with family and friends this school year, and live each day to its fullest with intent, passion, and love. 

Do you have an evening or morning practice that helps you and your family start each new day? Share it with us, as it may just be the missing piece to start each new day!