Back to School, Back to You: Why August is More Than Just New Schedules

August tends to bring a whirlwind of back-to-school energy — shopping lists, alarm clocks, and jam-packed calendars. But what if this month wasn’t just about getting the kids ready for class?

What if this month became your time to go Back to YOU?

August is National Wellness Month — and I’m here to remind you: your health matters. Your peace matters. Your energy, your joy, your body — all of it deserves your attention too.

Because let’s be honest — we’re tired. Many of us are running on fumes. Parents. Teachers. Coaches. Caregivers. Leaders. You name it. The very people who are holding things together often forget to hold space for themselves.

And the impact is showing — not just in our own health, but in the lives of the next generation.

The Cost of Burnout

According to the American Psychological Association, nearly 79% of U.S. adults reported experiencing stress-related symptoms like fatigue and emotional exhaustion by the end of 2023. For educators, that number was even higher, with over half reporting signs of chronic burnout.

And for parents? A 2022 study published in Clinical Psychological Science found that parental burnout has a direct link to increased anxiety, irritability, and even verbal aggression toward children — often unintentionally.

Burnout doesn’t just impact us — it spills out. Into our classrooms. Into our homes. Onto our teams. And the cycle continues.

I know this firsthand. For years, I operated seeking external validation, never feeling like I was "enough," needing to be needed, people-pleasing, and finding myself in this vicious cycle of thinking I needed to be readily available to EVERYONE for years. This landed me in some deep depression. I was no good to anyone, including myself. That is why, now, I speak on this loudly. I never want others to have to reach the points I have reached before waking up. It's not fun. It's downright miserable. 

I have found myself wishing I were no longer here. How can I be the mom, coach, person I am meant to be if that is how I feel?

But it's exactly what was happening. 

Even now, as I write this, I have found myself in those cycles. 

Once the programming is there, it is difficult to unprogram. However, it can be done. It just takes being intentional and slowing down. Slowing down, not just long enough to read this blog, but long enough to engage in the journal prompts and Lady J Empowerment Community. Long enough to look at all aspects of our lives and decide where we need to put most of our energy and what we are allowing to pull more energy from us than we have to give. 

So What Can We Do?

We start with one choice. One intentional step to reclaim our lives.

Wellness is more than green smoothies and gym selfies. It’s the practice of reconnection — to yourself, your breath, your purpose, and your boundaries.

This month, I challenge you to take one step back to yourself — physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

Let’s Walk This Journey Together

In 2016, I linked up with the company, 1st Phorm. In 2018, after returning stateside, I joined their amazing team of coaches as a 1st Phorm Legionnaire. I now run a team inside the app. We are currently doing the Fall Challenge, and you're invited to join my team. Whether your goal is to move more, eat better, drink water, or simply feel good in your skin again, you’re not doing it alone.

✔ Track your food
✔ Stay accountable with workouts (at home or gym)
✔ Get daily lessons and mindset support
✔ Join a team that uplifts, not judges

Join us here: https://1stphorm.app/ladyjempowers

Be sure to request me as your advisor so you can reach out with any questions and join the community to engage in our discussion board — because together, we can do more!

Next: Journaling Prompts to Reflect This Month

Most of us (I say 'us' for a reason, because that was me for most of my life) operate blindly. We don't even know some of the mannerisms we have, what we are allowing, or what is causing the burnout and exhaustion. We just wake up and do it all over again. I encourage you to take some time and really think about these questions. Make sure to join the community and respond to the lesson that accompanies this blog. All responses are fully anonymous. We operate a safe space! Simply go to www.ladyjempowers.com and click on "The Lady J Empowerment Collective" link to join the community. The group coaching will be back also, so if you want to dive in more, join the actual collective for only $99/month! You will have access to lessons, documents, and discussions on a deeper level. You will also have access to live calls every month, where you will join other community members and get your questions answered for optimal mental and physical well-being. 

Take 10 minutes this week and sit with these questions:

• What does being well mean to me right now?

• Where am I pouring out more than I’m pouring in?

• What would change in my family, work, or community if I felt 20% more energized?

• What’s one thing I’ve put off that I know my future self will thank me for?

• What does “coming back to me” look like this season?

You Are Worth the Work

This is more than a challenge. It’s a movement — to show up for yourself so you can show up stronger for the ones you love. Let’s stop glorifying busy and start prioritizing being whole.

Let’s make August the month we go:

• Back to Mental Clarity

• Back to Physical Strength

• Back to Self-Compassion

• Back to Purpose

Because your comeback starts now — and it starts with you.

References and Resources:

1. Mental Health & Wellness Reports and Research

American Psychological Association. (2023). Stress in America™ 2023: A Nation at a Stress Point. https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress

Roskam, I., Aguiar, J., & Mikolajczak, M. (2022). Parental burnout: What is it, and why does it matter? Clinical Psychological Science, 10(1), 3–20. https://doi.org/10.1177/21677026211051470 

National Institute of Mental Health. (2022). Mental health statistics in the U.S. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics 

World Health Organization. (2022). Mental health and COVID-19: Early evidence of the pandemic’s impact. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240050860

Johnston, C. A., & Steele, R. G. (2020). Impact of parental stress on child obesity and related behaviors. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 45(3), 267–276. https://doi.org/10.1093/jpepsy/jsz085 

2. Coaching, Fitness, and Wellness Resources

Watkins, J. (2020). Reclaim Your Life. Amazon: https://a.co/d/hCCKgRs 

Lady J Empowers. (2025). 1:1 Coaching, Group Coaching, and the Cortina Method. https://www.ladyjempowers.com

1st Phorm. (2025). 1st Phorm Fall Challenge – Fitness & Nutrition App. https://1stphorm.app/ladyjempowers

National Wellness Institute. (2024). Resources for wellness champions and wellness education. https://nationalwellness.org 

CDC. (2023). How much physical activity do adults need? https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/adults/index.htm

3. Mental Health Hotlines (U.S.)

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – Call or text 988 or visit https://988lifeline.org 

• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) – 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or https://nami.org 

• SAMHSA’s National Helpline – 1-800-662-HELP (4357) – Free and confidential help 24/7

4. Journaling & Emotional Health

Pennebaker, J. W., & Smyth, J. M. (2016). Opening Up by Writing It Down: How Expressive Writing Improves Health and Eases Emotional Pain (3rd ed.). Guilford Press.

Greater Good Science Center. (2023). Journaling for mental health: How to get started. https://greatergood.berkeley.edu