After a summer of relaxation and fun, heading back to the hustle and bustle of the school year may seem stressful. However, there is also a lot to be excited about! Use these tips to stay calm, cool, and zen during the school year.

Maintain a Summer State of Mind

Instead of stressing about going back to school this year, try to focus on maintaining your summer mindset through the fall and winter as well. Make time for fun each day and allow yourself to practice self care when things get hectic. Continue trying new things during the school year, and spending time with friends and family.

Set Attainable Goals

Start the new school year by setting personal goals for yourself, and by helping your children set personal goals for themselves. Set weekly, monthly, and seasonal goals to help track your progress and keep the school year exciting and fulfilling! Goals can be simple such as reading a chapter of a novel each night, or long-term goals such as learning a new subject or language. Learning about subjects of your choice can help keep learning fun. Hold yourself accountable and track your progress using a journal, notebook or bullet journal.

Establish New Habits

This is the perfect time to kickstart new routines and healthy habits. Use a bullet journal or a planner to keep track of your schedule, and make sure you have time for work, leisure, and other activities. If you’ve been wanting to pick up a new hobby such as yoga or cooking, make sure you designate times for those things during the school year so that you have something to look forward to each day. Try using Zebra Mildliner highlighters to organize your goals or schedule by color and priority each day! Mildliners are perfect for bullet journaling, planning, coloring and more.

Practice Mindfulness

Mindfulness is the practice of taking time to focus on mental health by living in the moment and focusing on the present. Practicing mindfulness is a great way to reduce stress and anxiety, especially when faced with assignments and deadlines. When you’re planning your day or week, designate some time for yourself to practice mindfulness such as meditation or journaling.