The back to school season is again upon us. Many adults are still working from home or in hybrid work environments, while kids are heading back to the classrooms. Let the drama and the fun begin! Or, better yet, let’s find some ways to make it better this year!

Make back to school easier

If your stress levels are high while shifting into the back to school season, know that you’re not alone. Follow these tips and tricks to make this transition period smoother.

Separate your work life and home life

One of the biggest challenges of working from home is stepping away from the office. If your computer is still on the table at night, it’s tempting to log back on and respond to a few emails before eating dinner or going to bed. In fact, 22 percent of remote employees said their biggest struggle is unplugging after work.

Use the school year as an opportunity to create a barrier between work and home. For example, in the afternoon work alongside your child as they do homework and set a dedicated time to step away once you’re done. Just like they do with their homework! If they aren’t working anymore for school, so are you.

If you’re taking on the role of teacher, this is even more important. You need the extra time to decompress, unwind, and avoid the crash that comes from burning the candle on both ends. Here are a few ways to improve work-life balance when working from home.

Create a dedicated workspace

Studies have found that remote workers actually have fewer distractions than in-office employees. A survey of 1,000 workers, found remote employees lost 27 minutes per day to distractions. This is significantly less than the 37 minutes reported for in-office teams.

However, your average number of distracted minutes can increase if you also have to help your child with homework.

If possible, create dedicated workspaces where you can focus and they can learn. You might have a home office or work in your bedroom while your child learns at the kitchen table. This can prevent you from getting distracted by basic algebra when you’re supposed to be in a client meeting.

Limit screen time for kids

When you work remotely, it may be tempting to let kids play on your iPad or on the computer so you can focus on work. However, screen time has increased dramatically during the pandemic.

According to this survey, tweens (ages 8-12) spend an average of five hours online each day (pre-pandemic and not including school). On the other hand, teens (ages 13-17) have more than seven hours of screen time each day. Furthermore, online videos are exceptionally popular. In 2015, only 24 percent of tweens and 34 percent of teens said they watched online videos each day. That number jumped to 56 percent of tweens and 69 percent of teens in 2019.

As a parent, you can limit screen time, but keep in mind your kids may expect an entertainment alternative once the smartphone is put away. This is an opportunity for you to engage with your children after unplugging for the day or introduce new hobbies they can enjoy at home.

Build breaks into your day

Even if you’re taking on the roles of employee, parent, teacher, and classmate all at the same time, you need to create time for yourself. Take a real lunch break—no computer or phone!— set aside time to meditate, and create downtime before you go to bed. These small moments can add up, improving your overall mental health.

If possible, try to get outside or exercise during the day. A study in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports found that people who walked during their lunch break at least three times per week felt better, even if it was just for 30 minutes.

Another idea would be to improve your morning routine, here are a few ways how you can do it efficiently and consistently.

Talk with your employer

Talk with your manager about the challenges of shifting back to school. Bring up the issues you’ll be facing and discuss potential solutions. For example, your boss may let you adjust your hours to accommodate school pick-up or to help you balance at-home education with work. Remember, you likely aren’t the only parent in your workplace. Other people are concerned about the same issues you are.

According to a survey, 66 percent of employers have no plans to alter performance expectations and promotion processes for workers dealing with child care issues. However, if you talk with your manager, you may be able to enact change to help with the back to school process.

Be patient with each other

The most important thing to remember this school year is to be patient. This is not your ideal situation, nor for your kids. Understand that everyone is doing the best they can and remember to slow down, take time for you, and truly unplug each evening.