What is Wellness Coaching?

In order to understand what Wellness Coaching is, let’s first define Wellness. According to the National Wellness Institute, “Wellness is an active process through which people become aware of, and make choices towards, a more successful existence.” Sounds so simple and yet many people are unhealthy despite major advancements in modern medicine.

Wellness Chart

Why Do I Need a Wellness Coach?

In general, people are stressed beyond their limits both at home and work. Their tendency is to use unhealthful coping mechanisms such as overeating, smoking, and substance abuse to self-medicate. They have grown used to their doctors telling them to lose weight, get more exercise, quite smoking, lessen their alcohol consumption, etc. Most people don’t tend to take their doctor’s advice to heart. Most people do not change even though they claim they want to. Change is difficult and opens one up to the possibility of failure. No one likes that. A Wellness Coach champions the client to success and helps them realize there are no failures except not trying.

Many people also lack a mind-body-spirit balance. Very few take time out for themselves amidst a life full of taking care of others. The notion “if we work harder we’ll get ahead” seems to prevail over the reality of working smarter (and healthier). Research has proven the power of meditation on the brain. By taking only a few moments out of one’s day to disconnect from technology and focus in on one’s own breath, a person can significantly positively impact their brain health. A Wellness Coach can teach the client how not to lose themselves among the chaos of everyday life.

What Does it Look Like to Work with a Wellness Coach?

A certified Wellness Coach will work with clients one-on-one or in small groups (live or via telephone) to help them find healthier options in pursuit of their optimal wellness. Having a non-judgmental partner championing clients to their success is invaluable support. The coach will work with clients to help shift their thoughts, feelings and actions from negative to positive. It takes 21 days to change a habit and 90 days to make it stick so consider working with a Wellness Coach for a minimum of three months at the beginning so as to create lasting lifestyle changes.

How Do I Find the Right Wellness Coach for Me?

When choosing a Wellness Coach, look for professionals such as myself who have degrees and/or experience in healthcare, physical fitness, and/or nutrition. Ask for references or check out testimonials written on their behalf. Use professional referral sites as they carefully vet their members.

A trained Wellness Coach understands that people only care about 3 things:

Is this for me?
Do you understand me?
Do you have the solution I am looking for?

When the coach can successfully address these three questions, people will actually be able to hear, understand and act upon how they or someone they know can be helped.

"Take care of your body - it's the only place you have to live."