Back to school without stress: our advice for parents and students

Back to school is often a stressful time, both for children and parents. After a long summer break, resuming the rhythm of classes, homework, and extracurricular activities can be a source of anxiety. To approach this period with peace of mind, it is essential to understand the causes of stress related to the start of the school year and to put in place strategies to manage this stress naturally.

What are the causes of stress at the start of the school year?

The stress of the start of the school year can have many origins. For children, anxiety can come from:

• The anguish of the unknown, if they change schools or classes, or if they fear that they will not live up to school expectations.

• Change of pace or even the anticipation of a more sustained rhythm.

• Separation from the family cocoon after the holidays.

For parents, stress can be related to:

• The management of the transition between the summer period and the start of the school year. Resuminge a strict routine can cause stress and fatigue.

• Family organization for the start of the school year;

• The fear of seeing their child experience academic or social difficulties.

How to prepare your child for a smooth return to school?

Preparing your child for the start of school is crucial to relieve stress. Here are our tips to get back to school with confidence & security.

Establish a routine before the start of the school year

The child's body needs time to adjust to this new rhythm. It is therefore important to restore a routine similar to that of the school year a few weeks before the start of the school year:

• Establish regular bedtime and wake-up times. You will help your child regain a regular sleep pattern, which is crucial to starting the school year well.

• Reintroduce a balanced meal routine at fixed times.

• Encourage quiet activities in the evening, such as reading or board games.

All these habits allow the child to find a rhythm adapted to school to reduce fatigue and irritability on D-day.

Communicate openly with your child

Dialogue is a key element in preparing a child for the start of the school year:

• Discuss with your child their expectations, fears, and goals for the coming year.

• Reassure them by reminding them of the good sides of school, such as meeting friends, discovering new subjects or participating in liked activities.

• Remind your child that they can count on you at any time if they need to talk or help.

Active listening makes it possible to detect sources of stress and defuse them before they become too invasive.

Essential oils to relieve stress

Thanks to their relaxing and soothing properties, essential oils represent an effective natural solution to cope with stress. Here are the most suitable oils to manage the stress of the start of the school year.

Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender essential oil is widely recognized for its calming and relaxing properties. Thanks to its effects on the nervous system, it is ideal for managing stress, relaxing muscles, promoting quality sleep, and helping with sustained concentration.

Recommended use

• Diffusion: diffuse 4-6 drops of lavender essential oil in your child's room before bedtime to encourage relaxation.

• Skin application: you can apply a few diluted drops on your child's wrists or pillow so that they can benefit from its soothing effects throughout the night. You can also sprinkle a few drops of the oil onto a tissue and place next to the pillow if you are concerned with staining your pillowcases. 

For topical use with children, lavender should be diluted: 20% essential oil for 80% carrier oil, or 1 drop of essential oil for every 4 drops of carrier oil.

Contraindications

Real Lavender essential oil is not recommended for the first 3 months of pregnancy and in infants under 3 months of age. Apart from its contraindications, it is very well tolerated by adults and children and can be used on a daily basis.

Sweet Marjoram Essential Oil

Sweet Marjoram is particularly effective in soothing the nervous system. Its sedative properties help regulate emotions and promote restful sleep, especially in children who have difficulty falling asleep due to stress.

Recommended use

• Diffusion: use 6-10 drops with water in your ultra sonic diffuser in the room before bedtime.

• Skin application: massage 1 drop of essential oil diluted in 1 drop of carrier oil on the solar plexus for a relaxing effect.

• Inhalation: apply 1 drop of essential oil diluted in 1 drop carrier oil on each wrist and breathe deeply to instantly calm the mind.

Contraindications

Sweet Marjoram essential oil is not recommended during pregnancy or with infants under 3 months of age. Please also seek medical advice for people with asthma. As always, a skin test at the hollow of the elbow is recommended before application.

Bergamot essential oil

Bergamot essential oil is known for its calming and sedative properties. It is particularly useful for soothing anxiety and encouraging a positive attitude, which can be crucial during transition periods such as the start of the school year.

Its fresh and citrusy scent is not only pleasant, but also very effective in dispelling feelings of nervousness and tension.

Recommended use

• Diffusion: diffuse 6-10 drops of bergamot essential oil into the air to create a soothing atmosphere.

• External route: it can be added to a relaxing bath with a carrier oil to help release accumulated tensions.

Contraindications 

Bergamot essential oil is photosensitizing, which means that it can cause skin reactions when exposed to the sun. It is therefore recommended not to expose your skin to sunshine after applying it.

It is not recommended for skin application for pregnant and lactating women, as well as children under 6 years of age. Focus on atmospheric diffusion.

Regular use of essential oils can help establish a soothing routine and support the emotional well-being of the whole family.

For a simple and easy-to-use solution, our lavender mini-caps are ideal. They offer a simplified dosage (1 capsule = 1 drop) with a neutral taste. Their practical format allows you to take them anywhere you go.

Other natural methods to manage school anxiety

In addition to essential oils, other natural approaches can be integrated into your child's routine to help them manage stress throughout the school year. 

Practice of breathing and relaxation

Teach your child deep breathing techniques to help them calm down when they feel stressed.

💡 Abdominal breathing is a simple, but effective method to reduce stress. Invite your child to inhale slowly through the nose, fill their belly with air, then exhale for a long time through the nose. This technique helps to slow down the heart rate and soothe the nervous system.

Meditation for children is also a great practice for reducing anxiety and promoting restful sleep.

💡There are apps and videos designed for children that guide short meditation sessions adapted to every age.

Regular physical activity

Encourage your child to practice a physical activity that they like - it is a very good way to manage stress. Movement helps to release endorphins, the hormones of well-being, and to evacuate accumulated tensions.

💡 An outdoor walk, a bike session, or a simple dance in the living room can do wonders for your child's mood.

By establishing reassuring routines, maintaining an open dialogue with your child, and using the benefits of essential oils, you can turn the back to school experience into a positive thing! Be sure to remain attentive to your child's needs and offer the necessary support to approach the new school year with confidence and peace of mind.