Stress in the Spotlight
A recent CDC study found that 1 out of 3 young adults are experiencing high levels of anxiety, which represents a shocking 92% increase from the rate in 2010.
As a Solo-Practitioner working with teenagers and young adults, this may be of
little surprise for you — SATs, hyper-competitive college admissions, a tough job
market, these are all major stressors that are difficult to cope with at a young age.
So, is there anything you can do to help? We know this topic is complicated, but if
your clients ask for help on how to de-stress, here are five ideas you can offer.
1. Digital Detox: Creating a Stress-Free Environment
It doesn’t take an expert to know that smartphones can be distracting and disrupt
focus and sleep. However, smartphones have also been shown to have adverse
impacts on teenage mental health, especially when it comes to anxiety.
Things you can do: Institute a no phones policy for your sessions so they can
remain focused and present during your time together. They might find a break
from social media and constant notifications can have an immediate positive effect on their
mood.
Something you could recommend: Suggest they don’t sleep with their cell phones
at night. A study in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) found
that children ages six to 18 had an 88 percent higher risk of not sleeping enough
when devices were in the bedroom. So, putting the phone away after a certain
time (10pm) can substantially help improve their sleep and mood.
2. Create Calm: Environment in Stress Management
Anyone who has visited a spa before knows that ambiance plays a significant role in providing a sense of calm. Solo-Practitioners can leverage this by being intentional about the physical environment in which their sessions are conducted. A clean, neat office imparts a sense of order and control, while other methods can be used to enhance the effect. Allowing natural light to enter the room when possible has also been shown to improve both productivity and mood!
Aromatherapy and music not only engage the senses, but when used properly can be powerful tools for maintaining a calm and relaxed atmosphere. Essential oils or candles scented with notes such as lavender, jasmine, lemon, and bergamot have been widely used to reduce stress and anxiety, while soft background music played at a low volume can help foster a calm, tranquil environment.
3. Lighten Up: The Power of Humor in Anxiety Relief
Laughter has been proven time and time again to induce positive feelings and relieve stress. Breaking the monotony of a structured lesson with levity is no easy feat, however, but it can be done!
Things you can do: Lighten up the mood by sharing a humorous anecdote from your weekend. Recommend an entertaining TV show or movie. Share an entertaining book they can relate to. You might even try exchanging the latest viral TikTok video!
4. Snack Smart: Nourishing Your Clients' Minds
In addition to being vital for fulfilling nutritional needs, some types of snacks play an important role in stress reduction. For example, research shows that in addition to being a delicious indulgence, dark chocolate contains antioxidants that can help lead to improvements in mood. On the other hand, citrus fruits high in Vitamin C can have been shown to have stress relief properties.
Certain types of tea can also provide positive benefits. Herbal tea has a well deserved reputation for its calming properties, and you might consider having green tea on hand to provide an energy boost with only a small fraction of the amount of caffeine found in coffee.
5. The Breath Connection: Using Breathwork to Manage Mood
Did you know that Box Breathing has been used by everyone from Navy Seals to Fortune 500 CEOs to help manage anxiety and stress? This technique is an easy yet powerfully effective way to quickly regulate the nervous system. By repeating a simple 4 second breathing exercise a few times before or after a session you can help your client remain focused while also providing them with a valuable tool they can use to manage their anxiety independently.
Box Breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system which is responsible for rest and digestion, which is the opposite of the more commonly known sympathetic nervous system, best known for the “fight or flight” response it induces.
By now, it’s clear that stress and anxiety are an unfortunate but all too common part of modern life, especially for young people.
However, they don’t have to be insurmountable challenges.
Encouragingly, researchers have found that even small initiatives can go a long way in promoting and reinforcing positive stress management methods and increasing general wellbeing.
In today’s fast-paced world, stress management is a critical skill that every young person needs to master. As a Solo-Practitioner, you have a unique opportunity to guide your clients towards a more balanced, resilient mindset. By embracing these five unconventional stress-busting strategies, you can help your clients navigate life’s challenges with greater ease and confidence.
