Whether they are little or big, going back to school can bring upon big emotions for parents and children.  Thankfully, there are a few ways we can prep our mind and body to keep those big emotions at bay.

Using aromatherapy is a wonderful way to get your day started on the right foot and your night ended in a relaxed more sleep.

The use of hydrosols or essential oils topically or aromatically can assist to decrease anxiety and worry and help one feel grounded and focused to take on the day.

Hydrosols are best for children as they are not as concentrated as essential oils.  Essential oils are loved by many and wonderful as long as they are age appropriate and used safely per one's health profile.  One must always check precautions and with your health care provider before using aromatherapy or natural products, especially with children.

Hydrosols or essential oils of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), roman chamomile (Anthemis nobilis), frankincense (Boswellia carteri) can be all you need.  Mandarin (Citrus reticulata) is also a wonderful essential oil to add to the diffuser.  Simply add one or a combination of your choice to a diffuser in the morning before school while you and the kiddos are getting ready, or spray a few spritz of hydrosol around the room, or even use it topically in your skin care routine as a toner or moisturizing spritz.

Allow your self and your children plenty of time to be awake and get ready in the morning's so there isn't an added rush while trying to keep a calm and worry free atmosphere.

Make a healthy breakfast and give yourselves time to think and talk about the day.

Make a plan for pick up so your child knows exactly what the school day looks like, pick up or drop off, and what might be happening after school.

Believe or not, children are just like us.  They like to know what the plan is.  They do better with a schedule.

Just to note, you can also create roller ball blends (kid safe per age and health profile) that can be applied on the wrists before school.  Apply the blend on your wrists too!  Remember, those emotions can sneak up on both of you.  

You can also create a nasal inhaler along for the ride and if those big emotions sneak up, you can take a few minutes to hug and deep breathe while inhaling from your calming and grounding inhaler blend.

One more fun idea?  Aromatherapy jewelry is super fun!  You can even get matching bracelets or necklaces.  Apply the essential oils to the pad provided that goes into the jewel or add to a lava stone on the piece.  It is nice when you both can be reminded of each other throughout the day and have a calming aroma close to you that reminds you of home.

If you aren't much into aromatherapy, that's okay.  I mean really, who doesn't love a massage?! 

Schedule yourself a massage!  Don't even think about.  When you are there, always think to yourself "inhale the good, exhale the bad".  This will help to relax those tense muscles.  It is way easier to relax when we aren't super tense and our shoulders are down where they are supposed to be.  Substitute with a relaxing lavender and epsom salt bath two or three times a week for fifteen minutes, followed by a glass of water to rehydrate.

How about getting some channels opened up so your energy can flow and vibe?  Ever tried reflexology?  Reflexology is a therapy where pressure is applied to the feet, hands, or ears.  The pressure points correspond with certain organs and areas of the body.  Reflexology is good for all sorts of emotions and physical ailments.  Scheduled a few times a year or prior to change, it can really be helpful to bring upon balance.

Well, maybe you are thinking you are just not into ANY of that... and I certainly should not mention acupuncture because you might say that is out too?

Okay, don't worry!  I got you too!

Back to the BASICS that we all should do every single day but tend to get busy -

• Decrease the caffeine, especially after lunch time.
• Increase your water intake - aka hydrate.  The body is so negatively affected when it is dehydrated. 
• Stretch at least two times daily for ten minutes (add some calming nature sounds if you will).
• Deep Breathe for a few minutes or meditate after stretching.
• Limit or cut our the alcohol because it does not help balance emotions.
• Limit processed foods and fast foods.
• Add fruits and veggies to every snack and meal.
• Work on your weekly schedule ahead of time and stay on task.
• Don't strive for perfect, just better today than yesterday.
• Take time to notice something you love about yourself and your kiddos.  Confidence can change your day.
• Walk or exercise.  Even if it is only for fifteen minutes.  Walk off those worries and allow your mind to find clarity.
• Go to bed on time.  Stay on a sleep schedule for you and your kiddos as much as possible.

All of these things are small steps to a bigger step towards mental and physical wellness.

Questions are welcomed!  Wishing you all a smooth back to school return!  Jamie

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Are you starting ask yourself how on earth you can get yourself and your sweet kiddos back in a school routine? Of course you are! Aren't we all! This is the time of year when we start to feel the end of summer crunch, as if the weeks are all of a sudden becoming SO much shorter! Time is flying by and even the nights are getting shorter again. The count down of the last days off of school have begun! Getting back into routine can be rough, but it doesn't have to be. With a little bit of preparation, the transition can be much smoother.

Besides the regular prep for going back to school, like shopping for the long list of supplies, shoes, and such, parents and children alike can greatly benefit from some good ole natural wellness prep too!  Natural wellness is creating balance within the mind, body, and spiritual side... with nature's help.  Try this exercise below to prepare your family for the transition.

Grab a piece of paper, jot down your worries, and answer questions like in the examples below, to find your back to school wellness plan.

Problem "I worry most about ________ when my kids go back to school."

Solution The solution will be how you can help to decrease some of your worry. This could by picking a day to school shop, a day to organize, and at least three ways you can naturally decrease your worry, fears, or anxiety. 

What three wellness techniques work for you to relieve a worried mind (aromatherapy use, using a roller ball blend throughout the day, getting a massage, going for a walk, taking a relaxing bath, spending time with family, having a cup of herbal tea, etc)?

1. ________, 2.________, 3.________  

* Add all of these organization hours and self care minutes to your calendar this month and during the first two weeks of school.

Problem "My child worries most about ________ starting a new year at school."

Solution The solution will be whatever works for your child to alleviate worry and anxiety. This could also be choosing days for down time and relaxation, quality time together, organizing and allowing time for questions in regards to back to school feelings, etc.

What three wellness techniques work to help promote calm for your child when they are nervous, anxious, or worried (diffusing essential oils, getting to bed on time for plenty of sleep, journaling, drawing, reflexology, relaxing baths, etc.)

1. ________, 2. ________, 3. ________

Problem "My routine needs to change in the mornings from ________ to ________."

Solution What changes can be made or what do you need to do starting the week or two before school starts to get you back into routine?

1. ________, 2. ________, 3. ________

Add these to your calendar with the adjusted times to get you back on track. "I love a morning rush out the door before school" said NO parent EVER! :)

Problem "My child's routine needs to change in the mornings from ________ to ________."

Solution What changes can be made starting the week or two before school starts to get your child closer to back into routine? You can make one adjustment two weeks prior to school, and then add another the week prior for a slow and less noticeable change of pace.

1. ________, 2. ________, 3. ________

Problem "My child's bed time routine needs to change from ________ to ________."

Solution Starting as soon as possible, depending on how much later than usual your child has been staying up, slowly decrease your child's bedtime closer to back to school bed time. 

For example, for the next four days have your child go to bed ten minutes earlier, then adjust that to twenty minutes earlier for a few days, then adjust bedtime to thirty minutes earlier for a few days, etc.  Do this until the bed time is closer to what a school bed time would be.  The slow increments allow your child to sleep better when school starts so they aren't laying in bed unable to fall asleep SO early before the first days of school.

Problem --> Back to school can usually increase the chance for a round of colds, stomach viruses, and things like head lice that aren't FUN nor cool.

Solution -->  Write down answers to the questions below to continue the exercise -->

What can you do to raise your child's immunity before school starts (like offer extra fruits and veggies, make sure they are hydrated, getting enough good rest, reminding them to wash their hands, stretch and move often, etc)?

1. ________, 2. ________, 3. ________

What can you do to increase your child's resistance to the stomach flu (perhaps you like to add a round of pre and probiotics, fermented foods, healthy foods and less fast food or fatty foods, water versus soda, etc.)

1. ________, 2. ________, 3. ________

What can you do to try to avoid things like head lice, after school overwhelmed moods, etc. (create roller ball blends for before or after school, make sprays known to keep head lice farther away, use hydrosols on hair for nourishment and prevention, clean pillow cases and sheets more often, soak brushes in a tea tree soak on a regular basis, spray back packs and shoes every day after school, etc.)

1. ________, 2. ________, 3. ________

Now I know not every one of these examples may be your EXACT back to school dilemma, BUT, you can easily do this exercise with all of your personal back to school concerns and answers. 

Just write your worries on a piece of paper with your solutions. 

Add time for everything, even the self wellness acts, on your calendar (don't forget to add extra time if you need to prepare or create blends, time to travel to things like a massage, etc). 

Now highlight what you can be doing on a daily basis (versus the things you are only doing here and there - like a massage or reflexology appointment), and tape your highlighted exercise wherever your are most of your day as a reminder (you can even make a copy and tape one at work and one at home) for when your list gets too big and you forget what you could be doing.

Worry free back to school wishes! :) Jamie
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