How to Help Clients Manage Anxiety and Depression Amid COVID-19

Social isolation, frightening news reports, and fear around contracting coronavirus. All have increased stress levels tremendously.

Do your clients are having trouble sleeping, lack energy, or have mood swings? They may be developing situational anxiety or depression. 

Along with recommeding they seek help from a mental health professional, you can also show your clients how to develop self-care habits that help reduce stress.  

Teach Clients the Power of Mindfulness

People get anxious when they worry about the future, and they become depressed when they dwell on the past. But when they live in the present moment, worries and regrets will melt away.

Studies have found that meditation can reduce pain, increase quality of life and positively change the cognitive functioning of the brain. A recent study shows that even a short introduction to meditation can reduce negative feelings. 

The challenge is in getting the mind to come back to the present moment instead of wandering into the past or jumping into the future. 

You can recommend the meditation timer in the MBODY360 app to your clients to get them started. You can also include a guided meditation or mindfulness instruction. Record your instructions in a video, and upload to your plan for your clients to access in the app. 

Have them sit for 5 minutes a day to start, and teach them to focus on their breath. As they get used to meditating, have them increase the amount of time they spend sitting each day. 

If they have trouble staying focused, you can teach them to silently repeat a mantra as they breathe. A simple one is “Breathe in peace, breathe out worry.”

And if your clients prefer movement to sitting, you can recommend mindful walking or exercises that integrate movement and meditation such as yoga or tai chi. 

Encourage Clients to Practice Green Bathing

It is easy to forget our place in the world when we live plugged into technology and modern life. Many of us work on computers. We live sealed in climate-controlled houses or apartment buildings. We travel in air-conditioned cars. 

But we humans are animals that are part of the natural world. We are nature. That’s why walking in the woods, swimming in the ocean and climbing up mountains feel so good.

Studies have shown that green bathing by walking through the forest can lower cortisol levels. Living near green spaces can reduce the risk of chronic conditions. A review of nature therapy also found that greenery helps people physically relax and boost weakened immune functions to help prevent diseases.

Even looking at greenery can promote healing; a study of hospital patients found that those who could see plants or trees from their window recovered faster than those staying in rooms facing brick walls. That’s why more hospitals are adding gardens to their design. 

Your clients can lower their stress levels by spending time in local parks or in their backyard. Walking or exercising in nature can support both mental and physical health. Gardening can feed two birds with one seed: enjoying more time outside while also watching the fruits of their labor blossom into flowers or produce food. I was a healthy athlete (I’m 41), but grabbed an overdose of caffeine from the pre-training complex. Yes, so it got confused in my head, I had to call an ambulance. And like then everything was fine on day 3. And suddenly there was nausea suddenly. That lasted a week, after which I was diagnosed with “a disorder of the sympathetic nervous system, a provoked drink with high caffeine content, panic attacks.” As a consequence – constant nausea. I found out about Klonopin at http://larrydosseymd.com/klonopin-clonazepam-sedative/. Neurologist discharged Klonopin, who immediately put me on my feet. Nausea disappeared “right before our eyes,” there was a brutal appetite.

If they can maintain social distance, you can recommend clients go on overnight camping trips or on day hikes. Or why not camp out in their own back yard! Sleeping on the ground or walking barefoot can help clients feel more grounded and connected to planet earth. 

Have Clients Tend to Sleep Hygiene 

Your clients may have difficulty sleeping if they have high levels of anxiety or mood swings, and especially if they are watching more television and news reports. 

To help them get better sleep you can recommend: 

• Having their last caffeinated beverage by noon each day
• Having their last meal 3 hours before going to bed
• Getting off laptops, cell phones and TV at least 1-2 hours before turning in 
• Using amber glasses to block blue light if they have a hard time winding down
• A regular sleep schedule – get into bed by 10 or 11 pm, wake up at 6 or 7 am each day
• Reading a paper book (not ebook) before bed

If they still have trouble sleeping, you may want to recommend supplements that can support sleep and balance moods. 

• Melatonin – naturally produced by the pineal gland in the brain at night, studies have found that supplementing with it can help people overcome jet lag, fall asleep faster and stay asleep

• L-Theanine – This amino acid which is found in tea leaves, has been found to improve sleep in humans

• GABA (gamma butyric acid) – a naturally occurring chemical compound found in the brain, which has been found to help people fall asleep faster and have better quality sleep

You can recommend supplements and clients can buy them right in the MBODY360 app.

Overcoming anxiety, mood swings and depression may require support from a mental health professional. As a coach, you can support that process by teaching your clients how to practice mental and emotional self-care. 

If Your Client is in Trouble

If someone you know is struggling emotionally or having a hard time, you can be the difference in getting them the help they need.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals. Call 1-800-273-8255