Back to School Health Tips

It’s that time again, kids and college students alike are getting ready to head back to school. With that can come stressful nights’ sleep, heavy backpacks and stress. School can be challenging on its own so keeping yourself and your children as healthy as possible is key to a good start. There are some easy ways to make sure that when you step into the classroom you are ready for success! Good night’s sleep. Summer break can throw off sleeping schedules for school-aged children. In order to be as prepared as possible for the new year, a good night’s sleep is very important. In the weeks before school starts it’s a good idea to start getting kids back into their school year sleep routines. Establish a set bedtime and stick to it. You may find in the early weeks kids are exhausted and may need even more sleep than usual. Turn those TV’s off and put the Kindles down and make sure your kids are rested and ready for the day ahead. Back pain. Backpacks, uncomfortable desks and poor posture can all contribute to back pain. Having back pain can be a huge distraction when you are trying to focus on learning. Choosing a well-fitted backpack and having the right posture can help alleviate pain. And although it may not be an option to leave those heavy books at home, only carry what you have to. This will give your back a break. Sit up properly at your desk with your feet flat on the floor and shoulders back. Choosing the right sleeping pillow can help alleviate back pain as well. Stress. Most of us experience some form of stress when starting something new and that can have a big toll on your learning success. Kids that are prepared for the school year by getting acquainted with their classrooms and teachers usually experience less back-to-school stress. Talk with your children about any concerns they may have and make sure they know what to expect and they will surely start the school year off right!