The Back to School Wellness Kit: What We’re Keeping On Hand This Fall

Somehow, back to school always seems to sneak up on us.

One minute it is long summer days, late dinners and bare feet. Then suddenly there are lunch boxes to pack, earlier bedtimes to get back into, busy schedules and a whole lot more time spent around other people.

And while we cannot control every cough, sneeze or sniffle that makes its way through a classroom or office, we can make sure our bodies have what they need to stay nourished, rested and supported as we head into a new season.

For us, that means going back to the basics. Real food, plenty of hydration, good sleep, time outside and a few simple natural staples that are easy to keep on hand.

Here is what is going into our back to school wellness kit this year.

Organ Meat Capsules

Organ meats have been valued for generations as some of the most nutrient dense foods available.

Of course, not everyone is excited about adding liver to their weekly dinner rotation. Organ meat capsules, like Higher Healths Core 3 and Beef Liver Capsules, offer a simple way to incorporate these traditional foods into a modern routine or by sneaking into smoothies, sauces and stews.

We think of them as one small piece of the bigger picture. Nutrient dense foods provide the building blocks our bodies need every day, including for normal immune function.

Propolis Spray

There is something very comforting about having a little bottle of propolis nearby when fall arrives.

Propolis is a resinous substance made by honeybees and has a long history of traditional use. A propolis spray is easy to keep in your bag, desk drawer or medicine cabinet, making it a convenient natural staple to have around during the time of year when everyone seems to be sharing the same germs.

It is not about trying to avoid every bug that comes your way. It is about having a few simple tools on hand when you need them.

Hydration, Hydration, Hydration

This one sounds almost too simple, but it is easy to forget.

Between early mornings, school, work, sports and after school activities, drinking enough water can quickly fall to the bottom of the list.

Keep a water bottle nearby and make hydration part of the routine rather than something you remember once you are already thirsty. Mineral rich foods and electrolytes can also be useful additions depending on your individual needs and activity level.

Sometimes the most ancestral wellness habit is also the most basic one.

Drink water. Add a pinch of salt and a splash of lime juice for extra electrolytes and minerals.

Real Food First

If there is one thing we want to prioritize this fall, it is nutrient dense whole food.

A good wellness routine does not need to involve a cabinet full of supplements. Start with the food on your plate.

Think protein at breakfast, eggs, meat, fish, full fat yogurt, fruit, vegetables, fermented foods, healthy fats and homemade meals whenever possible.

Pack lunches that actually contain food your body can recognize. Choose snacks that combine protein and fat with carbohydrates. Keep easy options available for busy mornings so that reaching for something nourishing is just as convenient as reaching for something highly processed.

Our bodies need nutrients to do everything they do each day. Immune health is no exception.

Do Not Underestimate Sleep

Summer has a way of pushing bedtimes later and later.

Then September arrives.

Getting back into a consistent sleep routine is one of the simplest things we can do to support overall health. Sleep is when the body gets a chance to rest, recover and carry out all of the behind the scenes work that keeps us functioning well.

So as the school year approaches, start easing back into those earlier bedtimes. Dim the lights; we love red light bulbs at the bedside. Put the phones away. Make the bedroom comfortable and give your body the chance to settle into a rhythm again.

Sometimes wellness is less about adding something and more about giving yourself enough time to rest.

Get Outside Every Day

Back to school can mean spending a lot more time indoors.

Between classrooms, offices, cars and homework, it is easy for an entire day to pass without much time outside. Try to keep some outdoor time built into the routine, even when the days become busier.

A morning walk, time in the backyard, walking the dog after school or getting outside after dinner all count.

Fresh air, movement and natural light are simple things, but they have always been part of a healthy daily rhythm.

Keep Tallow Close By

And then there is the part of the wellness kit that is not exactly about what goes inside your body.

The Solid Traveller Tallow Balm is made for those little everyday moments when your skin needs some extra care.

Keep it in your purse, backpack, desk drawer or travel bag. Use it as a lip balm, on dry hands and cuticles, or anywhere else that needs a little nourishment.

We especially love it for fall because cooler weather, indoor heating and frequent hand washing can leave skin feeling dry.

It is small, solid and easy to take anywhere, so it can become one of those things that simply lives in your bag all season long. Comes as a single tin or a bundle of five or 10.

Back to the Basics

The back to school season can make wellness feel complicated. New routines, busy schedules, packed lunches and more exposure to the people around us can make it tempting to look for the next big thing that will keep everyone feeling their best.

But perhaps we do not need anything particularly new.

Our ancestors did not have endless supplements, wellness trends or complicated routines. They had nutrient dense food, water, fresh air, movement, rest and simple natural ingredients.

Those basics still matter.

So as September approaches, stock the pantry, fill the water bottles, get back to a reasonable bedtime and keep a few natural staples close by.

You cannot control every cough in the classroom or every sniffle at the office.

But you can take care of the foundations.

And sometimes that is the best place to start.