As we head back to school its hard to avoid the back-to-school blues. Its a real condition! But, The Morning Thing is here to help you fight the unavoidable back-to-school blues! This morning we dug into an article from Huffington Post about steps you can take today!

To read the full article, click HERE!

We also looked at what God had to say about change and transition. We found 24 different scriptures that are perfect for the back-to-school blues. Click HERE to read through them.

Deuteronomy 31:6 says “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

YOU’RE NOT DREAMING, IT’S REAL

Although back-to-school blues don’t sound like a real medical condition, it’s a very real problem and can be easily detected among students at the beginning of the school year, according to Matthew Thatcher, a mental health counselor at Chicago Lakeshore Hospital.

“In the first two weeks of school we have a lot more kids who are coming in with signs and symptoms of depression,” Thatcher said. “It is a real thing and something to be concerned about.”

TOUGH TRANSITIONS

Though the anxiety of going back to school often affects students before classes even start, others feel the effects well into the first half of the school year. Hinsdale Central senior Sara Ramasastry said she just couldn’t shake her blues junior year.

“Last year I had an awful case of back-to-school blues,” Ramasastry said. “I just wasn’t ready, and for the first month or so I couldn’t even settle myself down to do homework or study or anything school-related. I didn’t have the motivation.”

TALK IT OUT

Venting about the long school day with friends can be a Band-Aid to the problem, but what if your depression or anxiety isn’t improving? The thought of talking about it with your parents can be tough — especially when there’s not a common understanding of the problem.

MAKING CHANGES

It’s important that you don’t isolate yourself. Even though you’re going to school and socializing with your classmates and teachers all day, pay close attention to what you’re doing at night. Just because you’re using social networks doesn’t mean you’re being social.

If you’re spending hours checking Facebook and Instagram, you could be isolating yourself without even knowing it.