But there are ways to carve out time for yourself \u2014 even during the busiest season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You might have thought the back-to-school anxiety (and tears) would end once you got your diploma. But the truth is, this season doesn\u2019t just put pressure on students. It\u2019s overwhelming for parents, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In fact, over half (53%) of parents with children younger than 18 say that it\u2019s the most stressful time of year, according to a survey by Understood.org<\/a>. And those back-to-school tears? They\u2019re not just for kindergartners. Sixty percent of parents admitted to crying during prep season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Can you blame them?<\/p>\n\n\n\n The average parent spends 17 hours a week just coordinating schedules. And that\u2019s on top of everything else: jobs, chores, appointments, meals, and the occasional attempt at rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 57% struggle to fit in all their family\u2019s activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 76% check their children\u2019s schedules multiple times a day just to stay on track.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your calendar feels like a collage of everyone else\u2019s needs, it probably is. Parents are often the first to give up personal time to keep everything running smoothly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But you deserve a place in the routine, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That doesn\u2019t mean booking a weekend getaway or putting a moratorium on after-school activities. Small, consistent changes can help you feel more in control and less stretched.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are a few realistic ways to make time for yourself this fall:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before the emails. Before the breakfast scramble. A quick walk around the block can help you clear your head, move your body, and start the day on a steadier note.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u2019ve probably focused on building a solid nighttime routine for your kids \u2014 winding things down, turning off screens, making sure they get enough sleep for a full day at school. But what about your routine?<\/p>\n\n\n\n A survey by OnePoll, reported in the New York Post<\/a>, found that 60% of parents are so stressed about back-to-school season they lose sleep. And it\u2019s no wonder \u2014 the to-do list doesn\u2019t end when the school day does.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Instead of starting another load of laundry or catching up on emails, give yourself 20 quiet minutes. Read a few pages of a book. Stretch. Just sit. A calming evening routine can help you separate from the stress of the day and ease into better sleep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u2019ve probably answered a school message while making dinner or replied to a group chat during your evening walk. But feeling constantly connected can make it harder to truly disconnect \u2014 and it adds to the emotional burnout many parents feel this time of year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Try choosing a time each night when you stop checking your phone. The messages, updates, and reminders will still be there tomorrow. Giving your brain a break from screens helps you shift out of go mode and into rest mode.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s easy to fall into the trap of thinking you have to do it all. But if you\u2019re already feeling stretched thin, that\u2019s exactly when it\u2019s time to ask for help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether it\u2019s coordinating a carpool with another parent, sending in a gift card instead of running to the store for back-to-school supplies, or leaning on your partner more than usual \u2014 letting go of the pressure to handle everything can free up time and headspace. Not everything has to be done perfectly to be done well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Saying \u201cyes\u201d to help can make room for something often pushed to the side this time of year: you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some self-care strategies require time and effort. Others, like a backyard hot tub<\/a>, are built into your space and easy to use when the opportunity shows up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While a hot tub might not be part of your usual back-to-school prep, it can be one of the simplest ways to create a moment of calm during a busy season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s hard to shift gears when you go from work to parenting with no break in between. Taking even 10 or 15 minutes in the hot tub helps create space between those parts of the day. It\u2019s quiet, screen-free, and helps ease you into your next role with a little more patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Instead of lying in bed running through tomorrow\u2019s to-do list, try taking 15 to 20 minutes to unwind in a hot tub. The warm water helps relax tense muscles, ease mental stress, and gently signal to your body that it\u2019s time to rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Research shows that raising your body temperature before bed \u2014 then allowing it to drop \u2014 supports deeper, more restorative sleep. As part of a regular bedtime routine, a soak in a hot tub can make it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep through the night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Couples average just 6 to 7 hours of quality time together each week, according to research. But during the back-to-school season, that time often gets squeezed into weekends. As for weeknights, they can feel like a blur of schedules and obligations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A hot tub can help shift the pace. Whether you use it to catch up with your partner or claim a few quiet moments alone, it offers a break from the constant motion. No dishes in the sink, no reminders on the fridge \u2014 just warm water and a few minutes to reconnect, reflect, or simply breathe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A hot tub isn\u2019t just a tool for parents. It can benefit the whole family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kids who play sports can use the massage jets to relax tired muscles after practice. For those who deal with stress or anxiety, the warm water offers a calming environment. And for everyone, it can be a space to connect without distractions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s also a chance to lead by example. Children are strongly influenced by their parents\u2019 habits, including how they manage stress and prioritize health. When parents make time for regular self-care, kids are more likely to follow. Studies show that children of active parents are significantly more likely to be active themselves, and positive modeling has an even greater impact on younger kids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n By setting aside time to recharge \u2014 whether it\u2019s a soak in the hot tub or a quiet break \u2014 you\u2019re not just helping yourself. You\u2019re showing your children that wellness matters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Between school, work, and everything in between, this season fills up quickly. But good habits, even small ones, can make a big difference in how you feel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A hot tub might not be on the school supply list, but it can help you restore energy, lower stress, and create space to focus on what matters most \u2014 all without leaving home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"back](\"https:\/\/www.masterspas.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/back-to-school-burnout-1024x540.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nBack-to-school stress is real \u2014 and parents feel it most<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The Life360 survey also found:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"back](\"https:\/\/www.masterspas.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/morning-routine-back-to-school-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nMake yourself part of the back-to-school routine<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Take a 10-minute morning walk<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2. Protect your evenings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. Set a screen-time cutoff<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4. Accept help, even if it\u2019s not perfect<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"best](\"https:\/\/www.masterspas.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/8.2-lifestyle-couple-smiling-web-1024x682.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhy a hot tub might be the reset you need<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
A pause between roles<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
A better bedtime routine<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
A space to reconnect<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s good for them, too<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"](\"https:\/\/www.masterspas.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/8.2-lifestyle-drone-no-people-web2-1024x711.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nA new kind of back-to-school essential<\/h2>\n\n\n\n