Dr. April Clay, CEO, Clay Counseling Solutions; CPO, Clay Counseling Foundation
Dear Friend,
Over the years, I have transitioned through many summers, and this feels like one of the hottest yet. It also seems to have gone by faster than any summer I can remember. In what feels like a blink, July is ending and August is already asking us to prepare for what comes next.
Did you know? Back-to-school season is a community stress point. It’s not just a season for students. It’s also a season for parents and the community at large to transition away from summer. A recent national survey found that nearly nine out of ten parents with school-aged children report stress during this season.
But what we may not automatically think about is that it is not only the parents experiencing that stress. It is also all of their connected points. If they are your coworker, a neighbor, a family member, or a friend, you may also feel the effects of that stress. Stress spills over into the community. That is why this season is not just about getting ready for school. It is about getting ready for change.
As we move through the transition of the calendar, it is important for us to be aware of how seasonal stress impacts our bodies and minds. We are living in an age of very high-speed life and fast life cycles. Sometimes we move from one season to the next without pausing long enough to notice how we are responding.
Whether you are a parent preparing your child to go back to school, a student in your own transition, or a community member watching the transitions occur, we are all affected by the season we are in. It reminds us that time is going fast. In addition, it changes how we experience the weather, our neighbors, our commutes, our routines, and many other areas of life.
If we don’t pay attention, we may miss the little warning signs that we need to slow down. Imagine your body being like a car. The car may run smoothly, but sometimes when it is really hot outside, you might need a little more oil, water or you may even need a tune-up. Depending on the age of the car, you may just need to pull over for a moment before you keep going.
The same thing happens in our bodies. We cannot keep moving through transitions without checking in with ourselves. Emotional regulation begins with awareness. Sometimes our bodies tell us we are tired or overwhelmed. We might notice that we are more irritable, more anxious, less patient, or more emotional than usual. Those signs are not always signs that something is wrong. Sometimes they are signs that something needs attention.
Mindfulness is about being intentional with our thoughts. It is about noticing and regulating what is happening within us before it shows up externally.
Tips from a Therapist
For parents, regulation may mean noticing your own stress before it spills onto your child. The back-to-school rush can feel overwhelming. During this season, stressors related to supplies, schedules, transportation, finances, and emotions can all show up at once. Children do not just hear what we say. They also sense what we do not say. They notice when we are rushing, stressed, or emotionally imbalanced.
For students, regulation may mean asking what you need emotionally for this new season, not just what you need in terms of school supplies. It may mean noticing your sleep, your worries, your excitement, or the pressure you feel to start the year strong. Preparing your mind and body matters just as much as preparing your backpack.
For community members, regulation may mean noticing how the change in rhythm affects your mood, your patience, or your sense of connection. As students transition back to school, you may notice fewer sounds of children playing on a weekday, and that might feel good, or it might feel a little sad.
As we close out July, Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, it is an opportunity to consider that mental health awareness is not only about crisis. It is about everyday awareness, the kind of noticing that helps us catch our stress before it catches us.
Regardless of your role or the type of summer transition you may be experiencing, the priority should be mindfulness. As we say farewell to July and hello to August, this is a good time to prepare not only our calendars, but also our minds and bodies. Before you rush to prepare everyone else, check your sleep, check your stress, and check your needs. Because while back-to-school belongs to the academic calendar, transition belongs to all of us. Make this August the best month yet.
Until next time, stay encouraged, remain committed, and be well.
Editorial source note: The “nearly nine out of ten” figure refers to a 2024 national survey reported by Understood.org, in which 89% of parents of school-aged children said they felt stressed about back-to-school season.
