By Rudee Robertson | August 12, 2025
The back-to-school season is fast approaching, and it’s not just about the kids. Adults also face the rush of new beginnings, routines, and anxieties this time of year. Whether you’re an educator, caregiver, or parent, prioritizing your resilience and social-emotional health is essential for thriving in the months ahead. Why? Because the kiddos in your care are counting on you, and they need you at your healthiest and best. So, as you begin your preparations, we hope you review this “back-to-school list” for adults.
Set Meaningful Intentions
- Reflect: Take a few quiet moments to think about what you want to get out of this school/program year, not just professionally but personally.
- Journal: Write down goals for your social-emotional health, like “I will reach out for help when I am feeling overwhelmed,” or “I will practice self-compassion if I make a mistake.”
Build Your Support Network
- Identify: List trusted colleagues, friends, family members, or mental health professionals you can turn to for support.
- Create Connections: Schedule regular check-ins or coffee catchups, even virtually, to maintain those supportive relationships throughout the year.
Establish a Self-Care Routine
- Daily Check-in: Ask yourself each day, “How am I feeling” and “What do I need?”
- Schedule Breaks: Block out time for brief walks, guided meditations, or stretching. Small breaks reduce stress and boost resilience.
- Prioritize Sleep and Nutrition: Never underestimate the power of a good night’s sleep and nourishing meals
Practice Resilience Skills
- Embrace a Growth Mindset: View challenges as opportunities to learn rather than threats to your competence.
- Practice Mindfulness: Use breathing techniques or mindful pauses to ground yourself in difficult moments.
- Plan for the Unexpected: Have a backup plan for stressful days, like a prepared list of calming activities or a music playlist that soothes you.
Organize and Set Boundaries
- Simplify Tasks: Break big projects into manageable steps.
- Say “No” When Needed: Protect your social-emotional bandwidth by declining non-essential commitments.
- Separate Work and Rest: Create a clear distinction between work time and downtime. Your brain needs both!
Access and Share Resources
- Know Support Channels: Save contact information for crisis helplines, wellness centers, or workplace mental health resources.
- Encourage Conversations: Don’t hesitate to talk openly about social-emotional health with your peers. Sharing your experiences can help others, too.
Celebrate Small Wins
- Acknowledge Progress: Every week, jot down at least one thing you’ve handled well or one sign of social-emotional growth.
- Reward Yourself: Treat yourself when you overcome an obstacle, large or small.
By having a resilience and social-emotional health plan in place, you’re setting yourself up for a more balanced, fulfilling back-to-school season. Focus on progress over perfection and remember that you deserve the time to take care of yourself. It can be difficult, but it’s important for you to allow yourself to promote your own resilience and social-emotional health, so that you can better do the same for the young children in your care.
References:
https://www.sedonasky.org/blog/back-to-school-mental-health-checklist
https://www.crisistextline.org/back-to-school-essentials/
https://naminj.org/nami-back-to-school-resources/
https://www.edutopia.org/resilience-grit-resources?crlt_pid=camp.Vmgp4cHdbdX9
https://www.nami.org/kids-teens-and-young-adults/school-resources/back-to-school-resources/
