Back to School Anxiety

The kids return to school this week. Some kids have been looking forward to getting back to school. Others haven’t been looking forward to it. There’s always some anxiety with returning to school.

Whether it’s starting school or going into a new class, children will be wondering what challenges there are ahead. Other children may be repeating a year and trying to cope with watching classmates move ahead, and make new friends. Adapting to the routine after the long days of summer can also cause some anxiety.

Children are at a fantastic age to learn how to manage their mental health. When they learn how to do it now, it becomes second nature to them. Encourage them to acknowledge their fears and anxieties. When we acknowledge our fears and anxieties and talk them out, they lose their strength. If a child finds it difficult to talk about their feelings, encourage them to draw, write or talk to a favourite toy.

Help them to discover their own strength when they meet the challenges of the new school year. Explore the world of guided meditations for children online or find CD’s that can be listened to before bed. Introduce children to kid’s yoga. This is a fantastic way for kids to learn how to manage anxiety by moving their body.

For stress management and mental health contact Tracy from Relax From Stress Holistic Centre on 086-2202734 or visit www.relaxfromstress.ie.

Published in the Connaught Telegraph Newspaper on 29 August 2017