A Family’s Back to School Ayurvedic Toolkit

By Rebecca Adams, Ayurvedic Health Counselor and Early Childhood Educator

It’s that time of year again!

Summer’s social engagements are beginning to wane, heat waves have given way to a refreshing crispness in the air, and the family is preparing to sync into a new school year. The transition between relaxing summer mode and responsible student mode can be rough for littles and adolescents. Absent a mirror in nature of the call that it’s time to come inside! (after all, the days are still long and watermelon is still in season in California), many kids move through an emotional, mental, and even physical upheaval during the first weeks of school. The shift can even lead to illnesses like colds and respiratory afflictions…not to mention, likely, more than a few family quarrels.

Transitions provide that quantum space in which possibilities abound - for better or worse, depending upon alignment. Parents and guardians can take this to heart and, conscious of the wobbles kids may experience at this time, use the opportunity to create daily routines and rituals that build health, bonding, and agency. Ayurveda, the ancient Indian “science of life” provides a wealth of principles and practices that, when engaged as a family in the context of the school year, not only cultivate strong bodies and minds that are ready for learning, but also build compassion and collaboration in the home.

Check out The Ayurvedic Family’s Back to School Toolkit for daily routines for the family for morning, dinnertime, and bedtime. Try one Ayurvedic tool per day to learn what flows with your family!

Download The Ayurvedic Family: Fact File to learn the basics of this ancient Indian ‘science of life’ and use it to support your family’s physical and emotional balance throughout the year. Keep the above routines and rituals on hand by downloading The Ayurvedic Family: Back to School Toolkit. Trust your own wisdom - and your family’s feedback - to determine how many or few of the routines are right for you. Just remember - one routine practiced consistently is worth three practiced sporadically!

Have a happy and healthy school year! Be well!