As the new school year approaches, both students and parents may find themselves grappling with back-to-school anxiety. This common experience, though normal, can be overwhelming. Dr. Haseeb Rohilla, an Adult Psychiatrist affiliated with Abu Dhabi 360, highlights the significance of addressing this anxiety to safeguard academic success and overall well-being.
Managing Back-to-School Anxiety: Expert Strategies for a Smooth Transition
The Prevalence of Back-to-School Anxiety
In recent times, there has been a noticeable rise in young individuals struggling with low self-esteem and social anxiety. Surprisingly, anxiety stands out as the primary factor driving 10 to 19-year-olds to seek treatment, with a noteworthy 25% of patients encountering this concern.
Strategies to Alleviate Back-to-School Anxiety
To support the community during this transitional period, Abu Dhabi 360, an initiative established by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council has curated a set of pragmatic strategies and coping mechanisms. These aim to foster a positive mindset, setting the stage for a successful new school year.
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Prioritize Consistent Sleep Patterns: Establishing a regular sleep routine can significantly enhance a child’s mood and academic performance. Sleep plays a pivotal role in fundamental bodily processes and cognitive activities, influencing focus, clarity of thought, and memory consolidation. Recommended sleep durations range from 9-12 hours for school-aged children to 8-10 hours for teenagers.
Open Dialogue about the Upcoming Year: Effective communication proves pivotal in addressing and comprehending a child’s anxieties. Engaging in conversations about their apprehensions can alleviate their unease and equip them for what lies ahead. Furthermore, this dialogue offers parents insights into their children’s concerns, enabling them to provide comfort and solutions.
Harness the Power of Mindfulness: Mindfulness practices such as meditation, deep breathing, or yoga can be valuable tools for anxiety management. Regular engagement in mindfulness activities contributes to the growth of grey matter in the brain, fostering emotional regulation and diminishing anxiety levels. The Abu Dhabi 360 app offers guided mindfulness exercises to seamlessly incorporate into daily routines.
Cultivate Positivity: Encouraging a positive mindset can effectively counteract stress and anxiety. Motivate your child to perceive challenges as opportunities for personal growth and mistakes as valuable learning experiences. This shift in perspective boosts resilience and nurtures overall mental well-being.
Embrace Organization: Tracking schedules, assignments, and deadlines can mitigate feelings of overwhelm. This sense of control significantly reduces stress levels, enhancing students’ confidence and capability.
Forge Connections with Teachers: Teachers can serve as a vital resource for students grappling with back-to-school anxiety. Encouraging open communication with educators can alleviate many concerns and foster a supportive learning environment. A simple conversation can go a long way in making a student feel acknowledged and understood, ultimately minimizing stress.
Also read: Back To School In Dubai: RTA’s Initiative Supports Students With School Bags
Embracing a Positive Start It’s important to acknowledge that experiencing anxiety before the new school year is entirely natural. However, armed with effective strategies and resources, students and parents can transform these anxieties into a constructive and proactive beginning.
For a comprehensive repository of resources dedicated to managing back-to-school anxiety or stress, look to the Abu Dhabi 360 app—a one-stop hub of well-being advice and guidance, accessible at your fingertips.
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