Back to School wellness Guide
Back-to-School Wellness Guide: Essential Health Items for Students
Whether you're a student heading off to college or a parent preparing your child for their academic journey, having the right health essentials can make all the difference in staying well throughout the school year. Here's a comprehensive guide to building a wellness kit that covers everything from immune support to creating healthy learning environments.
Building Your Health Foundation
Immune System Support When students are in close quarters with classmates - whether in a kindergarten classroom or college dormitory - supporting the immune system becomes crucial. Consider adding Vitamin C, Vitamin D, and Zinc to daily routines. These nutrients help the body maintain its natural defenses during times of stress and increased exposure to germs.
Allergy Management For students dealing with seasonal allergies or new environmental triggers at school, natural antihistamines like DHist, Quercetin, NAC, and propolis nasal spray can provide relief without the drowsiness of traditional medications. These are particularly helpful during back-to-school season when ragweed and other allergens peak.
Digestive Health Essentials Stomach issues are common among students due to cafeteria food, stress, and schedule changes. Keep activated charcoal and biotoxin binders on hand for digestive issues, and consider probiotics like UltraFlora Balance for ongoing digestive support.
Stress and Academic Performance Support
Managing Academic Pressure Whether it's test anxiety in elementary school or finals week in college, academic stress affects students of all ages. Natural calming supplements like Myocalm Plus can help with stress management, while B-vitamins and MethylCare support cognitive function and focus during demanding study periods. For younger children, focus on establishing good sleep routines and stress-reduction techniques.
Sleep and Recovery Quality sleep is essential for memory consolidation and academic performance at every age. Consider limiting EMF exposure in sleeping areas with grounding bags and maintaining consistent sleep hygiene practices.
Common Health Concerns
Digestive Issues For constipation, magnesium citrate can provide gentle relief. For diarrhea, bloating, and gas, UltraFlora Balance probiotics help restore digestive balance.
Pain Relief For natural pain management, Rapid Relief can be helpful for minor aches and injuries. It can also be used for pain relief for headaches and menstrual cramps.
Cold and Flu Season Keep natural cough syrups and throat soothers on hand for respiratory symptoms that commonly circulate in school environments. Having these ready helps address symptoms quickly before they worsen.
Minor Injuries Active skin repair sprays and natural healing ointments like Manuka honey can help with cuts, scrapes, and minor skin issues.
Hydration Support Staying properly hydrated is crucial for brain function and overall health at any age. LMNT electrolyte packets can help maintain proper hydration, especially important since our brains are 75% water.
Creating a Healthy Living Environment
Air Quality Classrooms and dorm rooms can harbor mold, allergens, and other airborne irritants. A quality air filter from AirOasis can help improve air quality in bedrooms, study spaces, or dorm rooms. These filters are particularly beneficial in older school buildings and dorms, which are notorious for mold and poor air circulation.
Water Quality Consider a portable water filter for home use or dorm rooms, ensuring access to clean drinking water regardless of the water quality at school. The Clearly Filtered portable pitcher is as effective as a whole house filter system and perfect for families or college students.
Clean Personal Care Choose organic and clean personal care products when possible, as students are often sharing facilities and spaces. This is especially important for items like hand soap, toothpaste, and other daily-use products.
Safe Cleaning Solutions
Traditional cleaning products can contain harsh chemicals that may cause respiratory issues, skin irritation, and other health concerns. Look for cleaning products rated highly by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), which evaluates products on a scale from A to F based on ingredient safety.
Recommended clean brands include Branch Basics, 9 Elements (available at major retailers), Molly Suds, and Aunt Fannies. These products maintain cleaning effectiveness while reducing exposure to potentially harmful chemicals.
Building Your Kit
For Elementary-Age Children: Start with immune support basics, natural remedies for common childhood ailments, and focus on creating a healthy home environment.
For College Students: Include more comprehensive support for stress management, digestive health, and sleep quality. Consider portable options for dorm room air and water filtration.
For Both: Focus on natural, gentle remedies that support the body's healing processes without harsh side effects. Having these items readily available can help address minor health issues quickly and avoid missing school or important activities.
Being proactive about health during the academic year sets students up for both educational success and long-term wellness habits that will serve them well throughout their lives. Whether you're packing a first aid kit for your kindergartener or stocking a dorm room medicine cabinet, these natural options provide gentle, effective support for common health challenges faced by students of all ages.
We'd love to help you and your family start the school year strong! Consider scheduling an appointment with us before heading back to school. We can help optimize your child's immune system and ensure their body is feeling its best for the academic year ahead. A pre-school wellness visit is a great way to address any concerns and set up a personalized health plan for the months ahead.