What is a Health Coach and Why Do I Need One?
Why Do I Need a Health Coach?
A health/wellness coach sounds like something for the rich and famous. But you don’t have to have your own reality show or an entourage to reap the benefits of health coaching. An increasing number of Americans are turning to these wellness champions to help them ditch bad habits and adopt new, healthier ones.
So, the concept of health coaching and lifestyle therapy did not gain traction until the 21st century. In the 1950s, the idea that better health outcomes were achievable through lifestyle changes emerged. This idea generated the wellness movement in the 1970s and specifically pushed employers to consider this a workplace issue.
It wasn't until the early 2000s that wellness and prevention programs evolved to include health coaching. At this time, people realized that at-risk individuals were more successful at living healthier lives with constant support and guidance. And as healthcare costs continued to increase, patients and doctors were looking for treatment options that could cut costs and simultaneously lead to better health outcomes.
The need for health coaching services has increased for well over a decade, but with the COVID-19 pandemic, these services saw faster-than-average growth. With chronic disease numbers at an all-time high and people forced to stay at home, healthcare delivery options that are affordable, effective, and virtual took center stage.
So, what is a Health Coach?
A health coach is your personal health cheerleader, guide, and partner. They help you implement lifestyle changes to improve your physical health.
The service is often available through corporate wellness programs. Your doctor may also recommend health coaching if you have a chronic health issue like diabetes. Or you may hire a health coach to help you achieve a wellness goal like getting fit.
Health coaches typically address six key areas that affect wellness. The six key areas are:
· Smoking
· Stress
· Nutrition
· Sleep
· Activity
· Time Management
If one of those areas is out of balance, it’s likely the others are as well. Someone who isn’t very physically active many also be highly stressed, not sleeping soundly at night or not eating well. Combined, it can feel overwhelming.
Health coaches help people sort out where to start and make small changes that grow over time.
A health coach helps you create goals by looking at what stage of charge you’re in and what action you’re ready to take.
It’s about self-discovery. A health coach just leads you in putting the pieces together for yourself. You figure out how to make the changes that work for your life.
What Does a Health Coach do?
A health coach gets you “unstuck” by helping you figure out what’s keeping you from reaching your health goals. Your coach regularly checks in with you by zoom calls, email, text chats, phone calls or in-person meetings, usually over the course of at least three months. During those conversations, a health coach asks questions to get you thinking about how you can overcome challenges.
The most common obstacle people face is their own thoughts about themselves and about change. Health coaches help people work through some of their thoughts. People find out what’s blocking them from following through with the changes they’d like to see.
Health coaching isn’t about someone telling you what to do. It’s someone who’s respecting your terms and your reasons for wanting or not wanting to change. A health coach shows up for you in whatever way you need.
Benefits of Health Coaching
Change is often difficult, even when it’s something we really want. Sometimes it even feels impossible. The benefit of health coaching is having someone in your corner to help you through it.
A health coach can help what you feel like nothing you’ve done on your own has worked. Or give you a boost if you a boost if you’re feeling overwhelmed, discouraged or like you don’t have enough time.
A health coach can help people see they have strengths they can use to start making changes. We help them see the possibilities based on their situation and abilities so that it’s simpler and easier to make sustainable changes.
A Health Coach Also Provides:
Accountability: Knowing that you must check in with another person about your progress can give you the push you need to move forward.
Encouragement: Health coaches act as cheerleaders to pick you up when you’re having a not-so-good day.
Unconditional support: A health coach doesn’t judge your actions. They help you come to your own conclusions about what works and what doesn’t in reaching your goals.
Setting and reaching health goals can be challenging. But health coaches can help you move past barriers. Switching to a healthier lifestyle can affect everything. With increased energy and motivation, you’ll able to do more, be there for others and live life to the fullest.
About Coach Alyssa, Alyssa is a menopause support coach. She was certified as a career coach from the association for talent development (ATD) and life and wellness coach from health coach institute (HCI). Alyssa is currently in preparation to be a national board-certified health and wellness coach. She is also certified as a menopause doula.
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