Managing Back to School Stress

Now that we are well into September, the back-to-school excitement has worn off, and you may have noticed that the kids in your life are struggling with what the Boys & Girls Club calls Afterschool meltdowns. Young people have a lot going on at school, and meltdowns are a natural response to daily pressures, which can cause kids to have an anxiety spike at school and then boil over once they are at home, in a safe space, where they can let their feelings out.

3 Ways to Prevent Afterschool Meltdowns

1. Keep up with Kids’ Summer Interests:
   • During the summer, kids have all the time in the world to discover fun new things, such as activities, hobbies, people, and places. Come school time, it’s important not to let these newfound discoveries get lost or forgotten.
2. Set up Afterschool Routines:
   • The summer is such a flexible time compared to a regimented school day. It’s helpful for youth to have a relaxing after-school routine to look forward to. Think puzzles, going for a walk, or enjoying one of their hobbies.
3. Get up and Moving:
   • If you exercise when you are anxious, it’s like tricking your mind and body- your physical anxiety symptoms, like a racing heart and fast breathing, become a normal response to exercise. If you can find a physical activity your child likes make it easy for them to do after school. Anything such as baseball, a walk, or even a kitchen dance party will be enough to release stress and boost your child (and your) mood.

Every Child is Different 

It’s important to note that After-school meltdowns or burnout can look different for each child. For younger kids, it may look like tears or a full-blown tantrum upon arrival home. For middle and high school teens, it could look like yelling, complete exhaustion, or isolating in their rooms. Each kid’s stress response is different, so it’s important to be aware of quieter changes too, such as frequent stomach aches or withdrawing from social activities.

Final Thoughts  

At OK Clinical, we offer therapy as well as several specialized services such as Child & Youth Counselling, Neurofeedback, Psychological Assessments, Art Therapy and much more that may help support you in your needs. Our Glenmore Office is also specially designed for supports for Children, Youth, and their Families. Please feel free to explore our website, or contact us directly at [email protected] or 250-718-9291 and our team would be happy to connect with you..

Written by: Michelle Rupitz

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