Back to School

It’s school time again! Kids are probably feeling excited and maybe a little sad that summer is over and many feel nervous or anxious on returning to the school year. For many it could be new teachers, new friends and even a new school.

For many children and teens today, the transition is more difficult than anticipated and there are elevated levels of stress, anxiety, behavioural issues. Schools across the country are overwhelmed and struggling with the mental health problems of students.

Many students experience safety concerns, academic challenges, bullying, social challenges and ongoing fears related to their health that primarily started during the SARS-CoV2 event.

As parents and teachers head into the new school year, it’s crucial to understand how kids are thinking and feeling about returning to the classroom. Checking in and having conversations with them is a simple, yet critical, way to help minimize any lingering issues before they turn into even bigger challenges during the school year.

The other new change for many is exposure to so many more kids of all ages. The summer with warmer weather, and in most cases less social interaction. kids have less exposure to the many different viruses that are frequently common in daycares and schools especially during the fall and winter months.

What can parents, teachers and older kids themselves do to support mental health?

– Anxiety: L-theanine, GABA, magnesium can help to calm the nervous system

– Depression: Saffron supplements are proving to be effective for mild-moderate depression. Anxiety and depression also go hand in hand for many so supplements such as L-theanine or GABA can also be helpful.

– Sleep problems: melatonin, lavender oil on the pillow, (safe for younger children) and there are many different sleep formulas available for those 12 and over. Talk to the knowledgeable staff at Vitamin Shop.

– Encourage kids to stop using electronic devices early evening and read or find other activities that are not stimulating.

Immune support

Many factors influence the immune system’s response from various foreign invaders including diet, stress, lifestyle, gut microbiome, toxins sleep quality and more.

Prevention: Basic foundational supplements including: multivitamin, vitamin D, vitamin C, probiotics, and greens, protein powders and other whole food supplements.

At the onset of symptoms or if a cold or flu is going around consider: increasing Vitamin C (to bowel tolerance) zinc tablets or lozenges, liquid echinacea formula for anyone over 12 and there are formulas for kids under 12.

General Tips for Immune Support

Basic: hand washing regularly, healthy eating, exercise, enough sleep and managing stress and anxiety.

– Regular hand washing.

– Healthy eating – choosing high quality foods such as fruit, vegetables, and meats; minimize sugars and processed foods.

– Encourage kids to eat breakfast… for example have a blender full of fruits and some vegetables, protein powder, yoghurt in the fridge for morning when only liquid such as almond or oat milk is added. It is important for brain function and energy for kids to have protein the morning.

– Provide healthy snacks and lunches. For older kids and teens let them become involved in making their own lunches and encourage healthy choices

– Staying hydrated.

Do your best to avoid:

Refined foods such as white flour products, commercial breakfast cereals and overly sweetened granola and other bars, cookies, candies, chips.

Sugary beverages like pop, sweetened juices, and sports drinks.

Note: Sugar and the Immune System

In addition to contributing to chronic health conditions like diabetes and heart disease (yes, even in kids and teens) sugar consumption affects the body’s ability to fight viruses or other microbial infections. White blood cells, also known as “killer cells,” are highly affected by sugar consumption and are not able to destroy these microbes as efficiently. Sugar weakens the immune system.

General Tips for Mental Health

-Limit time on devices and try to encourage kids to stay off or at very least spend minimal time on social media.

-Develop a regular routine.

-Encourage time outdoors even in winter.

-Enroll kids to exercise or join sports program.

-Make time to sit down as a family over dinner – discuss the day – for example what happened at work or school.

-Don’t ignore signs of withdrawal, aggression, anxiety. Of course, teens can normally be more withdrawn but watch for anything out of character.

-Sleep is important: 6–12 years should regularly sleep 9–12 hours per 24 hours and teenagers aged 13–18 years should sleep 8–10 hours

The staff at the Vitamin Shop are very knowledgeable if you have questions about supplements or require further information.