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Practical tips to prioritize wellness and ease the transition as the new school year begins
As summer fades and the school year begins, the excitement of new beginnings often mingles with anxiety and stress. This transition can be challenging for students and parents alike. The end of summer can feel abrupt, and the pressure of starting fresh in a new academic year may lead to what is commonly known as the “back-to-school blues.”
It’s not uncommon for students to feel anxious as the school year begins. A 2024 longitudinal study highlights that anxiety levels peak during school transitions. These moments of change—whether moving from summer freedom to structured school days or transitioning to a new school or grade level—can trigger stress.
It’s not all about student anxiety as parents also feel the pressure. Balancing work & personal schedules, household responsibilities, and the added task of ensuring their children are prepared for the school year can be overwhelming. The key to navigating this period successfully is to focus on wellness—both for students and parents.
Prioritizing Wellness in the Home
National Wellness Month aligns perfectly with the back-to-school season, reminding us to focus on our mental, physical, and emotional health. A supportive home environment can ease back-to-school stress and set a positive tone for the year ahead.
- Establishing Routines: Consistent routines provide stability and help eliminate chaos during the busy school season. Encourage your family to make meals together, engage in active pursuits like biking or hiking, and sit down for dinner as a family each night. These shared activities foster a sense of togetherness, helping everyone feel connected and supported, which is essential for a smooth transition into the school year.
- Encouraging Social Connections: Socializing is key to mental well-being. Encourage your child to reconnect with friends through outdoor playdates, park visits, or group activities. Parents can also meet friends for a walk or workout to relieve stress.
- Promoting Physical Activity: Physical health supports mental well-being & fosters healthy habits for the long-term. Daily outdoor activities like family soccer games, Fitness Court workouts or hikes can reduce stress and strengthen family bonds as the school year begins.
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Travel Baseball, Straight A’s and the Fitness Court
Maximillien Bell, a straight-A student-athlete from Huntsville, Alabama keeps his mind and body active – keeping him sharp and ready for the next school year. As a student with Ivy League aspirations and a busy sports schedule on top of his schoolwork, Max uses the Fitness Court to complement his wellness routine by using it as a space for his warm-ups and cool-downs before and after baseball and hockey practices.
Max shares, “Living an active life is important to me because it keeps me looking good, and it’s also really fun to be outside and having an active life.” He frequents Fitness Courts in Huntsville at Legacy Park and John Hunt Park, finding them perfect for versatile workouts. With his travel baseball schedule, he has visited over forty Fitness Courts.
“One thing I enjoy about Fitness Courts is how they’re so versatile. I can do just about anything there, and they also have really cool artwork. I’ve been incorporating them into my warm up or cool down after long tournaments or games.”
Max is Leading By Example: Balancing Wellness, Social Emotional Learning and the Whole Child
Setting a positive tone for a successful school year starts with a strong foundation in wellness. By incorporating consistent routines, encouraging outdoor activities, and fostering social connections, families can ease the transition back to school. Max Bell, a student with big dreams and a busy schedule, shows how prioritizing physical activity and using resources like the Fitness Court can help maintain balance and stay motivated throughout the year. As many schools work on balancing evidence-based social emotional learning, it’s important to embrace these practices in the home environment so both students and parents can start the year strong, healthy, and ready for success.
