Back-to-school time is often filled with excitement, aspirations, and new experiences—at least for kids. For parents, sometimes this season can feel busy, hectic, and stressful, especially if you don’t feel ready for the new schedule and routine. But there are plenty of things you can do to make this season less overwhelming and continue to prioritize the wellness of your whole family. Whether the school year is about to start or you’re already in the thick of it, here are some healthy tips to keep you on top of your back-to-school routine and your family’s health.
Get plenty of sleep.
Everyone in the house should make good sleep a habit and a priority. Elementary school–age children need at least 9–10 hours of sleep, while preteens and teenagers require 8–9 hours. While it’s tempting to cut back on sleep to gain more hours out of the day, being short of sleep can affect your immune health. So it’s important to incorporate a bedtime routine for everyone in the family—including yourself. This means turning off the television, tablets, laptops, and phones an hour before going to bed. Overstimulated kids have more difficulty falling asleep, which can create a vicious cycle of tired kids in the morning. Instead of screen time, try reading a book at night or just sharing something about your day. And if you need a little extra help to fall asleep and stay asleep, try Dream Serene™.*
Start the day with a healthy breakfast.
After a good night’s sleep, it’s time for a good breakfast, too. Start the family’s day off with a good source of protein, fresh fruits, or even vegetables. A healthy breakfast can be key to giving your children the energy they need to take on the day. Try yogurt with granola or breakfast burritos with shredded carrots. For a quick and protein-packed breakfast, blend up Life Shake™ with the milk of your choice and/or some fresh fruit.
Pro Tip: Is it hard to get your kids to eat veggies? Try Organic Greens Booster and sneak a serving of vegetables into any meal.
Don’t forget your daily nutrition.
A daily multivitamin can help fill nutrition gaps in both you and your kids’ diets. Meology™ Kids all-in-one gummy vitamin packs have 100% DV of 8 essential vitamins and minerals, 300 mg of vital omega-3s to support brain and eye health, and a powerful combination of immune-supporting nutrients to help kids grow up well.* Plus, they taste great so you won’t have any problem getting your kids to take their vitamins!
Slim down your schedule.
School means less free time during the day. So instead of trying to do everything in a day, try to cut down your schedule to include only those activities that make sense. When it comes to certain activities, it may help to ask yourself a few questions. What does your family get out of the activity? Are there pros and cons? Will doing this activity mean running around a lot? Do your kids like it or will they complain? How you answer these questions will help you find out which activities are worth incorporating into your day.
Schedule in some family fun.
There’s nothing wrong with putting some fun on your daily agenda. In fact, it might be helpful for both you and your kids to melt stress away. When everyone is back from work and school, get everyone to play a family game, go out for ice cream, or read a children’s book together. Then you can move on to your own activities.
Manage stress.
This isn’t just for you! Young children can experience stress too. On top of your family fun activities, it’s important to incorporate other healthy habits into your day that will help your family relieve stress, like eating nutritious meals, going outdoors, and getting enough sleep. Remember to take breaks in between activities so you have time to relax; just 10 minutes of calm can make all the difference for your stress levels.
Find ways to add exercise to your day.
While school and work can make it seem like you don’t have time for exercise, you can try to incorporate exercise into your existing activities. If possible, try walking to school to drop off or pick up the kids. Go to the park with your kids after school. Try a lawn game in your own backyard.
Check in with everyone.
As you figure out your new back-to-school routine, remember that the priority is your family’s wellness! Check in with your family to make sure you’re covering the important things and everyone’s needs are being met. Whatever you decide to put on the schedule, make sure it works for the whole family.
Remember, you got this!
Helping your family prioritize health during the school season may seem hard, but it can be done a few steps at a time. Keep creating healthier habits that work for the whole family, and they’ll be well on their way to a happier and more successful school year!
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
