The beginning of a new school year brings change: new teachers, unfamiliar classrooms, increased academic expectations, shifting friendships, and a return to structured routines. Some nervousness during this transition is expected. A child may need reassurance, extra preparation, or time to settle into the new routine.

For some students, however, back-to-school anxiety develops into a pattern of school avoidance. This may look like refusing to get out of bed, repeatedly asking to stay home, arriving late, leaving school early, or frequently reporting headaches, nausea, stomachaches, dizziness, or fatigue on school mornings.

These symptoms should not automatically be interpreted as manipulation or defiance. Anxiety can create very real physical discomfort. At the same time, repeatedly allowing a child to escape school because they feel anxious can unintentionally strengthen the anxiety and make returning increasingly difficult.

The goal is not to ignore a child’s distress. It is to communicate: “I believe that this is hard, and I also believe you can handle it.”

Stress is normal, but too much doesn’t have to be.

Stress is an unavoidable part of life. Whether it’s work deadlines, family responsibilities, relationship challenges, or unexpected life events, everyone experiences stress from time to time. While stress itself is a normal response, chronic or overwhelming stress can begin to affect both our mental and physical well-being.

Research shows there is a connection between emotions and physical symptoms. Anxiety may show up as a stomachache before a big presentation. Overwhelm can trigger tension headaches or muscle pain. These are common examples of how our bodies respond to stress.

When stress persists over time, the effects can become more significant. Research suggests that chronic stress may contribute to a variety of health concerns, including cardiovascular problems, metabolic changes, and immune system dysfunction. While stress is rarely the sole cause of a medical condition, it can play an important role in overall health and well-being.

So, what can you do to keep stress from taking over?

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Frustration. It’s one of those emotions we’ve been taught to avoid, suppress, or label as “bad.” From an early age, many of us learned that feeling frustrated meant we were losing control, being difficult, or doing something wrong. But what if frustration isn’t a problem to eliminate—but a powerful emotion with important information to offer?

As therapists, we often recommend physical activity or sports as a healthy outlet for managing anxiety, building confidence, and developing emotional regulation. For many young people, joining a team or finding a sport they enjoy can be grounding and empowering.

But what happens when the very thing we prescribe as a coping skill becomes the main source of stress?