Skip to content

Maneuvering School Blues Throughout the Academic Season

Back-to-school period can bring about stress, feelings of sadness, and anxiety. Discover straightforward, efficient strategies to help navigate the transition and combat these emotions.

Maintaining a Positive Outlook During return to School Period
Maintaining a Positive Outlook During return to School Period

Maneuvering School Blues Throughout the Academic Season

Navigating Back-to-School Blues: A Guide for Parents and Caregivers

As the end of summer approaches, many children and adolescents may experience a shift in mood, often referred to as the back-to-school blues or back-to-school depression. This emotional change can be recognized through signs such as clinginess, restlessness, unexplained stomachaches or headaches, irritability, changes in eating or sleeping habits, frequent crying, difficulty concentrating, mood swings, and withdrawal from friends or family [1][3][5].

To support children during this transition, it's essential to encourage open and empathetic conversations. Parents and caregivers should aim to create safe opportunities for connection—like family meals or casual talks—where children feel comfortable expressing concerns. Gently opening dialogue by acknowledging their feelings, actively listening without judgment, and validating their worries can make the transition feel less daunting and more normal [1][2][4].

Empowering Children with Agency

Encouraging children to exercise agency by choosing new school supplies, decorating their desk, or choosing extracurriculars can help foster a sense of control. This sense of agency can contribute to resilience in children and adolescents, improving their mental health outcomes, according to research [6].

Managing Big Emotions

It's important to validate children's feelings and normalize the experience, as big transitions can stir up big emotions. Easing the transition from summer break to school nights with gentle structure can help make the shift more manageable for everyone. Open-ended questions like "What was something hard and something fun that happened today?" can facilitate low-pressure moments of connection [2].

Building Resilience

Research shows that planning, problem-solving, and agency foster resilience in children and adolescents, improving their mental health outcomes [6]. Teaching children coping techniques such as deep breathing, mindfulness, or journaling to help manage anxiety can be beneficial [1].

Seeking Professional Support

If signs of anxiety or depression are significant or persistent, engaging counselors, therapists, or school mental health resources promptly is recommended. School counselors, pediatricians, and licensed therapists can provide extra support for children experiencing prolonged low mood, anxiety, or behavioral changes beyond the first few weeks of school [3][5].

Online Therapy Options

Online therapy for teens and parents is available, offering flexible and convenient support without the need for commutes, waiting rooms, or carpools. This can be particularly helpful for families who may find it difficult to access traditional in-person therapy services [4].

Articles for Informed Decisions

Our website articles provide up-to-date, valuable, and objective information on mental health-related topics to help readers make informed decisions. These articles are written by experienced mental health-wellness contributors and extensively reviewed by clinical experts to ensure accuracy and adherence to current industry standards [7].

Maintaining Supportive Connections

Continue family traditions and social activities to foster a sense of stability and belonging. Gradually reinstating routines and planning small "anchors" for comfort can provide predictability and remind children of enjoyable moments during the busy school year [4].

Creative outlets, such as journaling, drawing, or creating a photo collage of summer memories, can help children express what they're feeling. Open conversations about the upcoming school year can also help both kids and parents cope with back-to-school blues [2].

In summary, recognizing back-to-school blues involves observing emotional and behavioral changes, supporting open and empathetic conversation, and gradually reintroducing routines paired with skill-building for stress management. Early awareness and responsive support help children and teens navigate this transition smoothly and maintain their well-being.

[1] Source 1 [2] Source 2 [3] Source 3 [4] Source 4 [5] Source 5 [6] Source 6 [7] Source 7

  1. Online therapy options are available for teens and parents, providing flexible and convenient support without the need for commuting, waiting rooms, or carpools.
  2. If signs of anxiety or depression are significant or persistent, it's recommended to engage with counselors, therapists, or school mental health resources promptly for additional support.
  3. Encouraging children to exercise agency by choosing new school supplies, decorating their desk, or selecting extracurriculars can contribute to resilience and improve mental health outcomes in children and adolescents.
  4. Managing the back-to-school transition can be challenging, as children may experience big emotions. However, parents can ease the shift by validating feelings and normalizing the experience, using gentle structure, and facilitating low-pressure moments of connection.
  5. Incorporating mental health practices such as deep breathing, mindfulness, or journaling into a child's daily routine can help them manage anxiety and improve their mental health.

Read also:

    Latest