If you haven’t previously heard of a specialist like this, a wellbeing coach is a trained professional who helps people to improve their overall wellbeing holistically by supporting them in:
- Identifying, working towards and meeting personalised goals and staying motivated to fulfill them
- Making the right lifestyle choices and changes
- Adopting healthier behaviours for better physical and mental health
- Developing the skills so that, ultimately, the person will be able to manage their own wellbeing
In terms of physical wellbeing, a wellbeing coach assists with a number of areas including diet, exercise and sleep plus managing stress and chronic health conditions to improve quality of life by better understanding how to manage such conditions. When it comes to mental health, a wellbeing coach can look at a range of issues with their client, from anxiety, depression and low mood to building general mental resilience and self-confidence.
In some cases, a coach may be able to refer the client to other relevant resources and support as appropriate, for example, self-help groups, healthcare providers or signposting where the person can access educational materials.
This is a collaborative post.
How would it actually benefit?
While hiring a coach like this may feel a big expense initially, it’s an investment in your physical and mental health that starts to pay dividends pretty quickly.
Here’s why:
You enjoy a safe space where someone is really listening
A wellbeing coach creates a safe space in which you can talk and feel listened to without being judged. Being open with your coach may seem daunting at first, but they should relax you so you will build a rapport with them and feel comfortable talking about highly personal things. Indeed, the very fact that you don’t know your coach on a personal level should help you to speak openly in a way that may not always be possible with a close friend or family member.
Overcome barriers
When you hire a wellbeing coach, you acquire the tools you need to work through restrictive thoughts and overcome obstacles to wellbeing so that you can move towards a more fulfilling life with greater mental clarity.
Accountability in meeting goals
It may well be that there are particular wellbeing targets you’d like to meet, but which you haven’t yet. Support and accountability to someone else can play a crucial role in making it happen.
Making wellbeing a consistent routine
It’s one thing to start a new regime with enthusiasm and excitement; quite another to maintain it. With a coach, you can focus on all the realistic, practical things you can do to keep up the good work.
Make wellbeing your lifestyle rather than a passing fad. Starting a fresh routine can feel overwhelming at first but, with a coach, it becomes easier to introduce consistently good habits into your daily life.
Finally, in a business setting, a coach can foster a healthier, more engaged and therefore more productive workforce, ultimately boosting performance and preventing staff burnout.