Lincoln wellness experts say a good school day starts at home
LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The school year is upon us, and experts here in Lincoln don’t want you to fret if the first day didn’t go so well.
There are many habits you can pick up to make sure the family’s new routine sets everyone up for success. And that starts in the morning.
“How you start your day is how the rest of the day can go,” said Dr. Tiffany Leonida, co-founder of Healthy Start Family Chiropractic and Wellness.
As parents, a supportive morning routine can be key to a good school day for kids.
Kids’ anxiety can stem from home, in worrying about what they’re going to eat, what they are going to wear or even how they are getting to school.
Local experts say communication can ease that stress.
“Knowing ahead of time what they’re needing to do is a big step with anxiety, especially kids that are more analytical and thinkers,” Leonida said. “They want to know the plans ahead of time. So, knowing their schedule, knowing where to go and where to be usually helps the most.”
Parents can make their kids a part of the meal preparation, letting them decide foods and packing it themselves.
“With our kids, we’ll have them help chop some vegetables, and they can pick the fruit that they want,” said Dr. Alex Leonida, co-founder of Healthy Start. “They become part of it, so it’s not only our decisions.”
Getting them ready with a positive mindset about the day can help, too.
He suggested changing their frame of mind from “I have to do this” to “I get to do this.”
“That’s going to help them set up so they can really be at their best instead of trying to operate in fear,” Dr. Alex Leonida said.
With students taking after their parents long before they go off to school, relieving tension at home first can sometimes make or break a day.
“It starts with us,” Dr. Alex Leonida said. “It can be very easy to become stressed as parents. It’s the mindset of ‘Our kids are experiencing new things, and so we’re there for them and make sure that they get the most out of it.'”
