Feeling Stressed about Back to School and Food Allergies? Try This!

My kids are staying up too late, sun kissed and loving life as our summer days roll on.  But, I know it’s coming, soon it will be back to school.  Part of me craves the routine and structure our school days bring, but part of me is already feeling very anxious about the new year because, well, food allergies add an insane wrinkle to the start of a school year- new teachers, new classrooms, new friends…will they get it?  I can easily start to spiral into a swirl of negative thoughts about the upcoming year which can lead to me being all stressed out and not able to focus on what is front of me- the fun of summer.  But, I have found a simple solution for managing this stress!

I have recently started listening to a number of wellness focused podcasts, part of an effort to help with my own stress management, about food allergies and life in general.  I had to share a strategy I recently picked up that is intended for mindfulness and to help refocus your attention so negative thoughts don’t take over.  I was at the gym as I listened to the podcast so I didn’t have a pen to write down the author of the blog that was being narrated (more on this great podcast soon) but the idea is so simple and genius and I think can help us all out as we navigate the stressful waters of back to school with food allergies. 

The concept is this- get a bracelet, any bracelet.  It could even be a hair tie or rubber band if that is all you can grab.  Put it in your wrist.  When you feel yourself starting to stress out about back to school, you know the worry, the what ifs- mindfully take the bracelet and switch it to your other wrist.  As you switch the bracelet, think of the things you are doing to keep your child safe- the meetings you will have with staff, the gear you will send to school, the confidence you are building in your child that will allow him to advocate for himself.  As you switch your bracelet and your thoughts, you regain control and start to think about the positive steps you are taking to keep your child safe rather than letting the what ifs get you down. 

There may be days you switch that bracelet multiple times, especially on days when bad food allergy news fills your Facebook feed or a back to school night looms, but you can control your thoughts and the simple mindful act of switching your bracelet can help put you in a better place to not only manage some of the inevitable food allergy stress that comes with a new school year, but allowing you to stay focused on the summer fun at hand and not the what ifs of the Fall. 

I am wearing my bracelet now – it felt strange at first, but I am finding it really does help me re-center and stop thoughts that would otherwise spiral out of control.  Some days I switch it a lot, others the bracelet just fades into my look and no one really knows the purpose it serves.  But, it is a constant reminder to me that we can thrive on with food allergies!

I encourage you to try it out too and share your experience!  Does it work for you?  We would love to hear! 

And, let me tell you about this awesome podcast.  I posted yesterday on my Facebook page about it- Optimal Daily Living. Each and every day, Justin, the host of the podcast, reads from the best blogs and books all focused on mindfulness, minimalism and living your most optimal life.  I have found so many amazing strategies for managing stress, focusing on what is important and reframing my view of life and managing food allergies.  I encourage everyone to check it out! 

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Learn more about Tami and her company, Thrive On Consulting, which provides food allergy coaching and training.  You can also follow her on Facebook for tips to Thrive On with food allergies.