Beat Back-to-School Stress: Smell The Apples

Everyone has heard “stop and smell the roses”, but at back-to-school time I think it is time to “Stop and Smell (or taste) the Apples!”

Anyone with kids has experienced the bittersweet moment of dropping them off at school on the first day.   A new school year is exciting, but the stress of new schedules can rock an entire family.  Often work heats up at the same time. How do you avoid letting your children’s stress add to yours?  Or vise versa?

Debbie Mandel, MA, a stress-reduction specialist had some great suggestions on reducing adult back-to-school stress including:

Celebrate the season with decorations, food and changes in your home.

• The nights are getting cooler and it is always fun to pull the down comforter out of storage.  Cold nose — warm toes, perfect!
• Soups and stews are satisfying and a change from our summer grilling menu
• Even in more temperate climates, bringing fall colors into your home can signal the change of seasons.

Get outside.

• Put on a jacket and take a walk together — a great way to perk up after a long afternoon.
• Plan something fun during the weekend — like apple picking.  A break in the hectic weekday routine is always welcome, and needed.

Above all, just remember to stop and recognize what is going on around you.  Notice the beautiful clear day or the crispness of the air.  Take a moment to really listen to the rain falling or the leaves crunching under your feet.

Look at the children — how different they are from the ones who left school last Spring.  Autumn is a time of wonder, don’t forget to…

stop and smell the apples!

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Eliz Greene is the Busy Woman’s Guide to a Health. Drawing on her experience surviving a massive heart attack while seven-months pregnant with twins, struggling to lose the 80 pounds gained during her pregnancy, and her background as an adaptive movement specialist, Eliz developed simple strategies and tips to help other busy women be more active, eat better and manage your stress.

As the Director of the Embrace Your Heart Wellness Initiative, Eliz travels the country energizing and inspiring audiences in keynotes and workshops on women’s heart health. She writes one of the top 100 health and wellness blogs. Find more at www.EmbraceYourHeart.com.