“A state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”
HEALTH AS DEFINED BY THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
What is Integrative Health & Well-being Coaching?
Integrative Health & Wellness Coaching is grounded in the definition of health and includes all aspects of physical, psychological, spiritual and social wellbeing. It is a holistic and neuroscience-based process that empowers people to make positive lasting behavioral changes
Integrative Health & Well-Being Coaches motivate, and support behavior change through a structured partnership between the client and coach. A coach is like a “personal trainer” except the focus will be on your whole self. The coach helps the client develop and realize their optimal vision of health and well-being through inquiry, personal discovery and accountability.
Why is it effective in helping people realize their optimal health and well-being?
- Coaches work with the whole person. They listen to your concerns and ask powerful questions to help motivate you to make the changes you desire.
- Coaches spend time exploring what is most important to you in your health and well-being and allow you to choose your course of action.
- Coaches guide you through a process to maximize the possibility of your success.
- You and your coach work in partnership to identify obstacles to change and create strategies for moving forward toward your goals.
- Coaches support you in tracking your weekly progress and hold you accountable for your commitments.
- Coaches provide additional resources for making healthy behavior changes.
What are appropriate topics for health and well-being coaching?
The coaching relationship is unique. The coach and the client form a partnership to better equip you to realize your optimal health vision based on your goals and values. Any concern that gets in the way of taking care of your optimal health and well-being is the perfect subject with which to begin coaching. This research-based model explores the whole person and explores any area of your life that is affecting your health such as personal and professional development, spirituality, relationships and communication, physical environment, nutrition, movement/exercise/rest, and mind-body connection.
Therefore, any topic you want to bring up that you think will contribute to your optimal health is an appropriate topic for health and well-being coaching.
Integrative Health and Well-Being Coaching is the Missing Link in Healthcare
Integrative Health and Well-Being Coaching is often considered the missing link in health care. Research shows that 50% of illnesses are related to health behaviors, and 40% of premature deaths in the United States are caused by lifestyle choices. A Lancet study in 2004 concluded that changing lifestyle could prevent at least 90% of all heart disease. Ninety-five cents of every dollar is spent after disease has occurred, as opposed to prevention. With the healthcare system shifting towards preventative care, Duke Integrative Medicine has pioneered the educational program for Integrative Health Coaches to meet the health challenges of today and in the future.
Many people are aware of what they need to do to be healthy, they may have been given instructions by their physician to exercise more and lose weight, but knowledge alone is not enough. Integrative Health Coaches can take the extra time that a physician is unable to give, providing a complement to the recommendations of their physician. Through encouragement and support, they can help you to be successful in achieving lasting behavior and lifestyle changes.
Health and Well-Being coaching works with your own ability to make change by helping you to see a clear vision of what optimal health and well-being means to you. This is done by looking at your desired state, taking into account your values and goals, helping you identify any obstacles to success, and helping you create strategies to push past barriers so that you can achieve your desired outcome. In addition, coaching can provide additional support and encouragement by holding you accountable for your commitments, and providing information about resources, if requested, to support these goals. By working with you in a self-discovery process, you are able to discover what you really want your health and well-being to look like. Once you have this clear vision, along with the support of your coach, you are much more likely to be able to sustain these changes over time.
FAQs
Is Health and Well-Being Coaching for Me?
Your health and well-being is more than your numbers. Everything in your life impacts your overall health and well-being. If you are feeling stressed out and overworked, I can support you to create more balance in your day-to-day life so you can feel more present and connected with yourself and others. If you are feeling stuck and are not sure where to start, I would love to partner with you and empower you to live your best life by making sustainable lifestyle and behavior changes to experience optimal health and well-being.
How Long Does it Take to Create Sustainable Change?
It usually takes a minimum of three months to change behavior and create a new one that can become self-sustaining. Six months or longer may be more suitable to explore significant challenges (e.g. work and life transitions, career change, smoking cessation, significant weight loss, or dealing with a chronic condition). Studies confirm that people who use integrative health and well-being coaching realize more profound benefits than those who do not. We get results!
Coaching Services
What will I do for you as your coach?
As a client, you will set your agenda when it comes to your health and wellness goals. I will utilize the neuroscience of behavioral change theories, mindfulness, and self-assessment tools to help you identify your vision and values, create an action plan, and strategize against any challenges that may arise.
We will develop practical solutions for everyday living to foster long-lasting habits that allow you to live the healthiest and happiest version of your life. We are partners on a journey to discover what a fulfilling, satisfying, and healthy lifestyle means to you.
I offer individual and group coaching sessions, either in person, on zoom, or via telephone. The first step in coaching is talking. Let’s find a time to connect.