Managing Back-to-School Anxiety

Managing stressThe back-to-school season can be an exciting time, but it also comes with its fair share of challenges, especially for parents and students dealing with anxiety. Whether your child is starting school for the first time or returning to a new grade, feelings of nervousness, stress, and uncertainty are entirely normal. As parents and caregivers, it is essential to provide the right support and guidance to help your child navigate through these emotions and ensure a smooth transition. In this blog post, we will explore some practical tips for managing back-to-school anxiety for both parents and students.

  1. Open Communication:

Effective communication is the cornerstone of addressing back-to-school anxiety. Encourage your child to share their feelings, fears, and concerns openly. Create a safe and non-judgmental space for them to express themselves. Listen attentively and validate their emotions, letting them know it is okay to feel anxious during this time of change. Assure them that you are there to support them throughout the school year.

  1. Familiarize with the School Environment:

For students starting at a new school, visiting the campus before the academic year begins can help ease anxiety. Familiarize them with classrooms, the cafeteria, and other essential areas. If possible, arrange a meeting with teachers or school staff so that your child can establish some connections before the first day.

  1. Create a Predictable Routine:

Predictability provides a sense of security for anxious children. Before school starts, establish a daily routine that includes a set wake-up time, meals, study time, and bedtime. Having a consistent schedule can alleviate anxiety by providing structure and stability in their day-to-day life.

  1. Practice Relaxation Techniques:

Teaching your child relaxation techniques can empower them to manage anxious feelings effectively. Breathing exercises, mindfulness, and visualization are simple yet powerful tools for reducing stress. Encourage your child to practice these techniques regularly, especially when they feel overwhelmed.

  1. Focus on the Positives:

Shift the focus from potential negatives to positive aspects of the new school year. Talk about exciting opportunities, new friends, and interesting subjects. Help your child see school as an environment for growth, learning, and new experiences rather than solely a source of stress.

  1. Set Realistic Goals:

Work with your child to set achievable goals for the school year. Break down larger objectives into smaller, manageable tasks. Celebrate their achievements along the way, reinforcing a sense of accomplishment and boosting their confidence.

  1. Collaborate with Teachers:

Establishing a positive relationship with your child’s teachers can make a significant difference in managing back-to-school anxiety. Share your child’s concerns and discuss strategies that can be implemented in the classroom to support their emotional well-being.

  1. Limit Media Exposure:

Constant exposure to distressing news or social media can exacerbate anxiety in both parents and students. Limit screen time, especially before bedtime, to ensure a restful sleep and reduce feelings of apprehension.

  1. Encourage Social Connections:

Help your child build social connections with peers. Arrange playdates or attend school-related events to foster friendships. Having friends at school can provide a sense of belonging and reduce feelings of isolation.

  1. Seek Professional Support if Needed:

If your child’s anxiety significantly impacts their daily life and functioning, consider seeking professional support from a qualified mental health professional. A therapist can provide personalized strategies and coping mechanisms to address the specific challenges your child may be facing.

Managing back-to-school anxiety requires patience, understanding, and proactive effort from parents and caregivers. By implementing these practical tips, you can create a supportive environment that empowers your child to face their fears and uncertainties with confidence. Remember, every child’s journey is unique, so embrace their progress and celebrate their resilience throughout the school year. With the right approach and guidance, back-to-school anxiety can be effectively managed, allowing your child to thrive academically and emotionally.

Suicide Awareness

The Impact of Suicide. Your Words Matter.

Suicide is more common than we’d want to admit. Suffering is part of the human experience, and there are a lot of heavy stressors that weigh people down.

Supporting Teacher’s Well-being

CARE Counseling is thrilled to begin offering a Doctoral Internship for Counseling and Clinical Psychology doctoral students enrolled in accredited graduate programs!

6 Things to Consider in Supporting Children’s Adjustment to Change

Change can be difficult, especially for children when their need for safety and stability is uncertain. Establishing consistent and predictable routines helps children feel secure.

Because, College is Hard!

The transition to college can be exciting, but also difficult. You may be leaving the comforts of home and sharing space with others for the first time while managing stressors associated with college life.
Inc.5000 Award

INC 5000 Award

CARE Counseling makes the Inc. 5000 list for fastest growing private companies for three years in a row!

MSP Magazine News Feature

CARE Counseling was featured in an article on “Mental Health: Hurdles to Help,” by Lindsey Scharold with Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine.

Life Satisfaction: 7 Things to Nurture Emotional Well-Being

“The best predictor for adult life satisfaction is subjective well-being and emotional health during childhood” according to the World Happiness Report. Less than half (47%) of Americans report being “very satisfied” with their own lives.

CARE Counseling Announces New Doctoral Internship

CARE Counseling is thrilled to begin offering a Doctoral Internship for Counseling and Clinical Psychology doctoral students enrolled in accredited graduate programs!

Bracing Yourself for Change: Flexible Vs. Blinded Optimism

Change is stressful, and there will be going to be challenges and these will be temporary; however, this is also an opportunity to utilize your strengths and access the internal and external resources that are available.

Suicide Prevention for Co-Workers: 5 Action Steps

The death of a co-worker can come as an unexpected shock, especially when they have died by suicide. If you are aware that a colleague is struggling, you can make a significant impact in helping them get the care they need.

Clinicians Info

clinicians-info

Customized Meditations for You

What comes to mind when you hear the word meditation? Stereotypes hold some people back from mindfulness practice. That is unfortunate. It is important to dispel the myths and understand the things people get wrong about mindfulness.

Going from Good to Great When You Are Not OK

How often do you get asked, “How are you?” and the polite go-to response is “I’m fine” or “good” thank you. How are you? These phrases are common greetings in the United States but seem to lack much depth.

The Client-Therapist Relationship: Transactional or Relational?

There is a transactional element that is present in receiving therapeutic services; however, a strong therapeutic relationship is vital to the success of therapy.
Summer health tips- blue sky with hands in yoga pose

6 Summer Health Tips to Feel Amazing This Summer

Making lifestyle changes has a significant impact on mental health and well-being. When you take care of your body and engage in safe and enjoyable activities, it has a direct impact on how you think and feel about yourself.

Mindfulness-Based Therapies

Meditation helps one become more present, utilizing the practice of being mindful. Perhaps you already have a basic understanding of meditation

Emotional Intelligence for Families

Self-awareness is a key skill of emotional intelligence. One way to build self-awareness early within a child’s life is to build their feelings vocabulary.

CARE COUNSELING IS A 2024 TOP WORKPLACE

CARE Counseling has been recognized in the Star Tribune's Top Workplaces for the third year in a row!  In 2024, CARE was named on the National Standard Setters list.

Men’s Mental Health Month

CARE Counseling was featured in an interview on the “Stigma still surrounds mental health issues in men,” with Laker Pioneer press.

Juneteenth

Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced the enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation.

The Intersectionality of PRIDE and Juneteenth

In honor of Juneteenth in the middle of PRIDE month, intersectionality is a reminder that we hold multiple identities such as our race/ ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, class, religion, disability, and age that create unique lived experiences for each person, resulting in different advantages and disadvantages.

Relationship Violence

Partner abuse, domestic abuse, and intimate partner violence can happen to anyone. Unfortunately, abuse and violence in relationships are all too common.

Three Reasons Why It Can Be Difficult For Men to Seek Out Therapy

Men, it is OK to reach out for help. Asking for help is not easy, especially when topics are sensitive, and you may feel vulnerable.

Support for Emergency Responders and Professionals at Risk

Did you know that approximately 70% of the world’s population has been exposed to a traumatic life event?