The end of the school year can be an exhausting time for everyone, especially for kids! Parents, teachers and mental health professionals often feel burnt out while trying to figure out how to navigate through this transitional time. We all know one thing – June is the time for a much-needed break for everyone! So, how do we finish this race and ready ourselves for the months ahead?

Here are 5 helpful tips:

Plan an activity that is enjoyable. We all need a break and having something to look forward to is likely to lighten anyone’s mood!
Let yourself experience your emotions. It is helpful to normalize what we are feeling after a long and stressful school year. If your child feels stressed and tired, it is ok to encourage them to talk about how they are feeling. Let them know that talking through their emotions is healthy.
Keep the end in mind. Stress is handled more effectively when we can visualize an endpoint. Looking at the calendar and seeing the last day of school written, 1st day of camp or even blank pages eases the mind. Think about today and allow yourself to imagine having the well-deserved break that is ahead!
Practice mindfulness. Anxious feelings are often revealed in different ways. They can show up as a sudden stomach pain, difficulty in sleeping, getting easily annoyed at others or simply feeling unmotivated to do anything. Practice staying in the moment by closing your eyes and taking deep breaths. Focus solely on your breathing and visualize somewhere that makes you feel calm or happy.
Accept what is already done. Worrying about what has already happened has no value. Practice being at peace with what you have accomplished this year and commit to starting fresh in September on any challenges you faced this school year. Give yourself a pat on the back- you certainly earned it!

Author: Vanessa LaBruzza, LAC