Building Your Back-to-School Wellness Checklist

Setting up your family for success at the start of a new school year can mean so much more than buying new outfits or getting a fresh set of crayons. This time of year presents a fantastic opportunity to ensure you’re going through a wellness checklist that can help keep everyone healthy all year long. 

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In this article, we’ll explore the essential items you might need to add to your back-to-school wellness checklist.

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Visit Your Provider for a Checkup 

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Consider making an appointment for every member of your family to get their annual wellness checkup with their primary care provider.¹ During this checkout you can talk through common health concerns that may come up during the school year, get up to date on required immunizations, and even get clearance to play certain sports and do certain activities!

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If any of your children are school-aged, you can also get the documentation needed to store certain medications at school should your child need to take them each day or in case of an emergency.

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Stock Up on Health and Wellness Supplies

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A new school year is an excellent time to take stock of your medicine cabinet. Check to see if you have any medications you need to re-stock up on or expired medications that need to be properly disposed of. Your pharmacist can help you ensure you’re safely throwing out or disposing of medications.

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Also, check your HSA or FSA totals to see if you still have money to spend before the end of the year — these accounts can typically be used for medications or medical supplies that could come in handy for the rest of the school year.

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Get Refills on Important Medications

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After you’ve cleaned out and taken stock of your medicine cabinet, make a trip to your pharmacy to stock up on OTC medications and get important refills processed before life gets too hectic with the start of a new school year. 

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Your pharmacist can help you ensure you have enough of the important medications your child may need on them at all times or stored at school such as injectable epinephrine, allergy medications, or medications for chronic conditions like diabetes. 

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Set Up Healthy Routines and Habits

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It’s very easy to let the stress of back to school seep into your life and create unhealthy habits like opting for junk food or getting inconsistent sleep. 

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Before the school year begins, try to get your family on a sleep schedule that mimics your schedule for the school year and work together to make healthy, nutritious meals that can help fuel your children’s growing brains and bodies. Getting back into the school routine is always a tough adjustment, so be sure to give yourself time to prep for a successful year ahead.

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If you’re unsure about what you or your family will need to have a healthy and happy school year, be sure to reach out to your healthcare provider for advice and specific recommendations.

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Sources: 

“Back-to-school essentials: Parent's guide for a healthy start to the school year.” Mayo Clinic Health System.