On Silver Linings, Marathons, and the Benefits of Health & Wellness Coaching
2020 wasn’t just hard, it was…different and weird-hard. It seemed like each bend in the road brought a new series of bumps that challenged even our tried and true self care strategies. The silver linings were there for sure--our favorite yoga teachers moving online, more family/inner circle time, cultivating new creative hobbies. But the pain points were truly rough--sickness and loss of loved ones for many; work-from-home environments replete with jankety ergonomics and distractions for some; high risk workplaces or sudden joblessness and financial instability for others; stress and instability alternating with boredom and restlessness; and massive amounts of media saturation...all amidst the mounting tensions of racial injustice and a bitterly divided country.
The words “it’s a marathon, not a sprint” became something of a mantra to help us collectively keep treading water. But I’d like to unpack this marathon metaphor a bit…
Marathon running isn’t simple and that’s why runners train for it; yet we didn’t get any training for this one!
Most marathon runners inevitably crash and down regulate part way through, in a cycle described by one runner as adrenaline, fortitude, boredom, doubt, denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance, fortitude (again), adrenaline (again). Okay, so I left out anticipation, euphoria (clearly lacking in pandemic relevance) and after glow (possibly relevant, but clearly not timely). Which brings me to my next point...
We’re two weeks into the new year, and we still have no idea when our marathon will actually end.
When we take a moment to step back and assess our lives, where does all this pandemic marathon business leave us in terms of thinking about wellness?
If you can, take a moment to reflect and consider the degree to which your life has been impacted in each of the classic eight dimensions of wellness listed below.
Physical…
Emotional/Mental…
Intellectual…
Social…
Spiritual…
Environmental…
Occupational…
Financial…
Many of us are likely to be feeling challenged in some way in each dimension.
I can relate. As a bodyworker, I’m one of those people whose profession was impacted by the Covid pandemic. While chiropractors, acupuncturists and physical therapists forged ahead with their critical services, massage therapists (even those like myself with an orthopedic/clinical focus) were not classified as essential healthcare workers. Eventually, months into the pandemic, approval was issued for medical massage in conjunction with the client’s referral of a physician or chiropractor.
But here’s my silver lining.
I will never make light of the tragedies brought about by this virus. But if there’s one thing the human spirit so consistently demonstrates, it’s that great adversity paradoxically often encourages creativity, innovation, and growth.
Pre-pandemic I was gently exploring the concept of developing a health and wellness coaching program to complement my bodywork practice. I have a deep belief in the need for, and effectiveness of, holistic health services, and personally have experienced profound benefit from working with life coaches. So it felt like a very organic progression for me. The post-pandemic change in my bodywork practice brought an opportunity to focus on my fledgling health and wellness coaching services. Simultaneously, the past ten months provided a depth of insight into the struggles of those around me, highlighting the ways in which holistic health and wellness coaching can offer people such a powerful source of support.
So what does health and wellness coaching with me look like?
Health and wellness coaching can help you gain clarity, to identify and implement positive lifestyle changes that impact your overall health and wellness.
Skilled coaches blend mentorship with partnership. I offer teachings and resources, but the heart of the work centers around active listening and facilitating your inner authority. I am here to support you in gaining the empowerment and confidence necessary to create and sustain meaningful change in your life.
Pacing and accountability: I seek to provide a safe space and a reliable, accessible structure to guide you step by step in following through on your goals and achieving your vision.
Health and wellness coaching is evidence-based.
Coaching is not a replacement for psychotherapy counseling, but can complement it. A key skill of any complementary health professional is to recognize when a client’s need is outside of the practitioner’s scope of practice. When appropriate, I will always encourage you to seek out additional or alternate support mechanisms.
“Health coaches” may focus on a specific topic, such as nutrition, fitness, or supporting clients with chronic/long term health conditions. “Holistic health coaches” and “wellness coaches” use an integrative approach: They typically specialize in multiple aspects of health and lifestyle, and facilitate awareness of interconnections between various parts of their clients’ lives. I use a holistic health and wellness coaching approach.
Most coaches support their clients by engaging in meaningful and directed conversations. My integrative health and wellness coaching framework is special in that it typically includes somatic (body centered) or movement elements, in addition to discussion.
My integrative health and wellness coaching framework is based on my background and training in:
Orthopedic massage (Hendrickson Method™)
Personal training, with a focus on corrective exercise
Fitness nutrition
Yoga breath coaching
Finally, while many coaches offer a pre-set “program,” my coaching style is highly personalized: Our work together will be tailored around your specific needs and interests.
Some of you reading this may have worked with a coach before. If this article sparks any kernels of curiosity or inspiration, I encourage you to reach out to me. I offer free 20-minute consults to see if we might be a good fit. Initial consults are always complimentary.
As author and coach Ellen Koch suggests in Why 2020 may be the perfect year to (finally) partner with a health coach: “You just might have more time to take care of yourself right now living the ‘new normal’. In the ongoing pandemic marathon that is 2021, I invite you to harness these silver linings in service of your own wellness.
Thumbnail photo by Mārtiņš Zemlickis