Beat the Back-to-School Blues

It’s that time again – time to go back to school!

While going back to school is exciting, and students look forward to reuniting with friends and teachers they haven’t seen for months, it is also a significant disruption in the daily routine that could lead to stress, anxiety, anger, sadness, and other uncomfortable emotions. 

Parents can also experience negative emotions during the back-to-school rush. They could miss having the kids at home or worry about them while they are out of sight.

Going back to school after a fun and relaxing summer with family can be quite jarring for everyone!

Beat the back-to-school blues by supporting the transition with open communication, planning, nourishing nutrients, probiotics, and botanical extracts.*

The Back-to-School Blues Are Normal

It is important to remember experiencing uncomfortable emotions when returning to school is normal.

Meeting new teachers & peers, managing the sudden demands of studying and tests, being many miles away from home for those students in college, missing the carefree days of summer break, and more can result in sadness, anxiety, stress, anger, and other emotions that can be difficult to navigate.

Letting children and young adults know it is normal to feel uneasy and experience significant emotions when returning to school could help them cope. Also, let them know you are there to listen and help them find a good counselor to confide in if needed. The more communication, the better!

Parents may also struggle at this time due to the change in routine, school traffic, missing their children, worrying, and other dynamics. Parents could consider counseling to smooth the transition while maintaining open communication within the whole family.

Make a Back-to-School Plan to Ease the Transition

If possible, start planning early for the back-to-school transition:

• If students have been sleeping late all summer, begin to wake them up earlier in preparation for their back-to-school routine.
• Begin to discuss the positives about going back to school several weeks in advance.
  • For younger students, remind them how much fun they have had in the past - spending time with friends, playing team sports, participating in clubs, and completing school projects.
  • For students in college who enjoy sports, remind them going back to college also means going back to playing in or attending exciting sports events. Back-to-school also means back to college football season!
  • For college students who enjoy other extracurricular activities, such as chess, music, or research, remind them that college offers them more opportunities to participate in their favorite hobbies with their peers.
• Increase excitement with back-to-school shopping!
  • Does your child suddenly love dinosaurs, unicorns, sharks, or space exploration? You will probably find book bags, folders, pencils, and other school supplies with those themes!
• Discuss breakfast and lunch plans.
  • Decide who will make a balanced breakfast every morning to help ensure the day begins with good nutrition. Will lunch be provided by the school, or does lunch need to be prepared in advance at home? Is your college student’s dorm room refrigerator full of nutritious options?
• For students with medical concerns, talk to them and the school about access to medications in advance.
  • For example, where will an emergency inhaler be stored for quick access by a student with asthma? Students need to know the plan for access to insulin, EpiPens, inhalers, and other medications while at school.
  • Discussing this subject and having a plan could ease fear, stress, anxiety, and other difficult emotions when going back to school.
• Consider research-backed supplements with probiotics, nourishing nutrients, and botanical extracts that support healthy, balanced emotions.

The Best Supplements to Help Welcome the Shift to a Back-to-School Routine*

• Probiotics*
  • Research shows that age-appropriate strains of probiotics support a balanced mood, optimal sleep, and brain health.* Probiotics that support a healthy, balanced mood are also known as psychobiotics.¹
• Magnesium*
  • Magnesium is a mineral that functions as an essential cofactor for more than 600 enzymes in your body. It is required to produce vitamin D, promote optimal brain health, and support a balanced mood.²
  • Specifically, magnesium blocks the NMDA glutamate receptor, and too much NMDA activity due to a magnesium deficiency is associated with the development of anxiety and depressive symptoms. Clinical research shows magnesium supplementation significantly improves mental health.²
• Ashwagandha*
  • Clinical research suggests Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) supports optimal sleep, balanced mood, and stress resilience.^3,4
  • Research also shows Ashwagandha significantly improves test scores on validated assessments for perceived stress, anxiety, depression, and insomnia.⁴
• B Vitamins*
  • The B vitamins are essential for the optimal production of lipids, proteins, neurotransmitters, and hormones. Several B vitamins are required for the metabolism of neurotransmitters that affect mood, including serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine.²

InterPlexus Supplements that Support a Healthy Transition Back to School & College*

B-KalmPlexus supplement is a vitamin B complex with magnesium, Ashwagandha, and phosphatidylserine that supports a healthy stress response and sustained energy levels for the back-to-school rush.*

Adapt supplement is a blend of B vitamins, minerals, and adaptogenic herbs to support optimal mental health during the transition to campus life.*

Magnesium³ supplement is formulated with three forms of magnesium for the best absorption and maximum bioavailability. Magnesium³ supports healthy cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, endocrine, neurological, and metabolic functions for a smooth & successful transition back to school.*

Fortéfy is a probiotic supplement that contains high-quality, dairy-free strains of probiotic organisms that support optimal mental health and immune function in students.*

Always consult with a healthcare professional before beginning a new supplement routine, especially if you take medications or have underlying health conditions.

References:

1. Sharma R, Gupta D, Mehrotra R, Mago P. Psychobiotics: The Next-Generation Probiotics for the Brain. Curr Microbiol. 2021;78(2):449-463. doi:10.1007/s00284-020-02289-5
2. Hoepner CT, McIntyre RS, Papakostas GI. Impact of Supplementation and Nutritional Interventions on Pathogenic Processes of Mood Disorders: A Review of the Evidence. Nutrients. 2021;13(3):767. doi:10.3390/nu13030767
3. Deshpande SN, Simkin DR. Complementary and Integrative Approaches to Sleep Disorders in Children. Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am. 2023;32(2):243-272. doi:10.1016/j.chc.2022.08.008
4. Firetag L. Make a new year’s resolution to support your mental health. InterPlexus. January 5, 2024. Accessed June 5, 2024. https://interplexus.com/blogs/news/make-a-new-year-s-resolution-to-support-your-mental-health.