After the year we’ve all had, it’s safe to say that stress has become a constant companion for the majority of the population. We’re struggling to navigate a new normal with changing dynamics in the health, fitness, and wellness industries.
And many people are discovering the cost that constant stress can have on them physically and mentally – meaning that nutrition professionals now have an opportunity to help clients tackle stress and continue to live healthy, happy lives.
Keep reading to learn how to integrate your stress management services into your nutrition business…
When can you offer stress management services?
Becoming a stress management advisor requires time, patience, and a CPD accredited certification from The Health Sciences Academy.
It isn’t something that anyone can do using materials they’ve found floating around the internet. The science of stress can have a direct impact on the body’s nutrition and hormonal balance. Always being in that “fight or flight” stage takes a physical and mental toll on your clients.
The key is to understand when to offer help, and what kind of advice you’re able to give. When meeting with clients, don’t shy away from questions about how they’ve been feeling and coping with the stressors in their lives.
Understanding where they’re at with their stress levels can inform your next steps and the type of program you create for them.
Keep in mind, stress can have significant psychological effects that can require intervention from a licensed medical professional – so make sure to always encourage clients to check with their doctors before proceeding.
How to approach your clients about their stress management needs.
Many nutrition professionals understand that stress is going to be a natural part of people’s lives. Because of this, they build stress management techniques into their services, and incorporate them naturally into client programs.
However, there are times when stress needs to become the primary focus for your advising services.
People are experiencing an increase in stress right now due to lock downs, job loss, and general changes in their lives. And many are communicating this increase to their personal trainers, nutrition professionals, and healthcare advisors.
Addressing these issues can become more of a priority as they begin to interfere with client progress and health and wellness overall.
When a client regularly brings up stressors or a feeling of overwhelm, then it’s safe to ask them if they’d like you to pivot your services to focus on these aspects of their lives. Then, work with them and their healthcare providers to provide actionable advice to combat the negative impact that stress can have when not addressed.
The three important questions you need to ask yourself before proceeding with stress management services.
Stress is both a physical and mental force that can manifest in physical and psychological ways.
Before moving forward with stress related services, it’s important to ask yourself these questions:
- Have you completed the Advanced Stress Management Advisor certification, and are you properly qualified to advise clients?
- Have you advised your client to seek help from a licensed medical professional first to make sure that they receive the help they need from every possible resource?
- Have you properly approached your client about exploring stress related services as a standalone option, or as a part of an ongoing program?
Once you feel confident in your skills and your client’s acceptance of these services, you can proceed in a way that promises to yield positive results.
Ready to start helping clients combat stress?
When you join the Nutrition Business Explorer Program, you’ll have the opportunity to create your own custom certification path that aligns with your professional goals and includes the Advanced Stress Management Advisor specialisation.
Click here to get started, and begin helping clients as soon as you graduate!
