This week, students are walking in looking like deer in headlights! It's back to school time, and this can be a bumpy road for both students and parents (and maybe teachers? - ha!). Have no fear - you can do this! There are ways to manage all of that stress and get into a healthy routine that works for you.
1. Get enough sleep! So, yeah, you stayed up until 2 a.m. doing that homework you could have done right after school or during your study hall, but now you've only had 4 hours of sleep and that is going to make for a ROUGH day! Try to set a bedtime that gives you a good amount of rest - 7 or 8 hours, perhaps? - so that you wake up feeling refreshed and ready to go. Having trouble falling asleep? Put those phones away! Scrolling through insta, Facebook, and Snapchat are going to keep you awake! Take a break and get some shut eye!
2. Learn to say 'no'. When life gets busy, we just don't have the time to do all the things we might want to do. If you try to do EVERYTHING, you will find yourself feeling 'stretched very thin, like butter scraped over too much bread' (Lord of the Rings reference there). Even if you are the kindest, most helpful person, you just don't have time to do it all. Prioritize, do the things that you need to do to take care of your responsibilities and needs, and if there is time left over to help others, then great! I just know that for a lot of you, the school year is filled with tons of extra things, and adding more and more to your plate may not be an option. You've got to find time to relax, too!
3. Filter, filter, filter. What is worth worrying about? Learning to filter out things that are really not in your control will free up SO much space in your brain for the things that you can actually do something about. Prioritize your worries - take care of what you can take care of today, and filter out both things that are not in your control and things that can wait for another day.
3. A healthy eating routine is so important! I am not qualified to give nutrition advice, but it's great to be aware of what you are putting in your body - it's your fuel for the day! So, starting the tank on empty (not eating breakfast) and trying to make it through morning classes may not be ideal? Treat your body well and it will reward you with feeling energized and ready to take on the school day!
4. Exercise. Many people see this term and go 'ugh.' I get it! But, the good news is that exercise doesn't have to involve a gym and weights and running and things that generally sound awful to a lot of people. Exercise can be yoga, swimming, pilates, hiking, riding a bike, skateboarding, kayaking, walking, and SO MANY other things, that almost everyone can find something that fits their likes and personality! Exercise releases so much good energy in our bodies, and once you develop a routine you'll notice how much better you feel. If you have any health problems, always consult with your doctor before starting any exercise regimen.
