The Back to School Survival Guide for Parents

Summer's lazy rhythm just gave way to alarm clocks, packed lunches and homework checks and if you are feeling whiplash, you are in good company. Every parent hits this wall in late August. The good news is that a little planning goes a long way towards a smoother transition for everyone in the house, including you.

OUTSMARTING THOSE BACK TO SCHOOL GERMS

New classroom, new circle of kids, new germs coming home in backpacks. A few holistic staples worth keeping stocked:

• ELDERBERRY SYRUP - a go to immune booster at the first sign of a sniffle (sold at Heart's Gate Wellness' nook, homemade and batched by our massage therapist, Anne Louise).

• APPLE CIDER VINEGAR - supports digestion and gentle immune function - be sure to get organic with the mother.

• HONEY - soothes a scratchy throat and has natural antimicrobial properties

• PINEAPPLE JUICE - rich in bromelain, which helps to calm inflammation and ease coughs

SETTING KIDS UP FOR A STRONG YEAR

GROUNDING TECHNIQUES

For kids feeling nervous about the new year, simple tools like deep breathing or standing barefoot on the grass can ease anxiety and help them to feel steadier.

LUNCHES THAT THEY WILL ACTUALLY EAT

Plan meals that are both nourishing and appealing, and bring your kids along to the grocery store for a haul to pick out their own healthy snacks. It builds buy in and teaches real nutrition habits along the way.

A REAL NIGHTLY ROUTINE

Everyone talks about morning routines, but the evening before is where the magic happens. Laying out clothes, packing backpacks and prepping lunches the night before turns frantic mornings into calm ones and gives you actual time with your kids instead of rushing out the door.

DON'T FORGET YOU

It's easy to lose yourself in the back to school shuffle. This is exactly the moment to reclaim a little space for your own well being. A few ways Heart's Gate Wellness can help:

• FACIAL REJUVENATION - smooths fine lines and restores natural glow, because feeling refreshed on the outside often shifts how you feel on the inside too.

• MICRONEEDLING - stimulates your skin's own collagen production to improve texture, tone, and scarring - a favorite for moms wanting a brighter, more radiant look. Learn more here

• MASSAGE - not a luxury, a necessity. Improves circulation, eases tension and lowers stress. Explore massage options here

• ACUPUNCTURE - balances the body's energy, eases pain, and calms the nervous system, whether you're running on stress, fatigue, or both. Find out more about acupuncture here

• CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY - a gentle, hands on approach that eases tension in the head, neck and spine, helping to calm an overstimulated nervous system and quiet the mental noise that back to school season tends to stir up. Learn more here

Taking care of yourself isn't indulgent, it is what makes you capable of showing up fully for everyone else. Here's to a school year full of health, ease and a little rejuvenation for you too.