*** Please consult your physician before proceeding with any lifestyle changes. If you have a history of trauma, know that you are always in choice. Nothing here is obligatory. Follow your own pacing and if you become overwhelmed, seek additional supports or contact a therapist.***
Dear Fellow Human,
I like to think about health coaching through the image of climbing a mountain. If you wanted to climb Mt. Everest, you likely would hire a climbing guide who was familiar with the terrain. Your guide couldn’t climb the mountain for you, nor would they decide for you what mountain to climb. But they could help you survey the total picture of the mountain and what the climb entails. They could help you anticipate and prepare for pitfalls and avalanche zones. They could guide you as to what muscles you might need to strengthen or what gear you’d need to bring to best support yourself. They could help you with pacing, as to not tackle too much too fast which can be dangerous. And they could offer their personal wisdom gleaned from experience on the mountain, which can be creative and time saving.
Heath coaches are
guides
As we extend the metaphor of mountain guide, you’ll get to see the similarities as to how coaches can also guide in these ways. (1) So what is it exactly that a health coach can do for you? Just like a mountain guide has much to offer, a coach can also provide many things. They can help you…
survey the total picture of what the climb entails
Preparing to climb a mountain often begins with zooming out to take in the total picture of what the climb will involve. Like climbing, health experiences are multidimensional and considering the whole picture can be very valuable. As I know from my personal experiences with Celiac disease, changes to your health are all encompassing whether that change was originally within your control or not. When I got diagnosed, it wasn’t just dietary changes that I had to deal with. Celiac disease changed how I related with people, how I related to my environment, what activities I was able to do, how I viewed myself and where I decided to put my value. Health changes are multi-system experiences.. And while you might say Kristen, that was just your experience with health, I’ve learned since being a health coach that stories like mine are incredibly common.
When a person changes their health, it changes their life. Our bodies, minds, social circles, beliefs, self image, and environments are all stickily connected to one another. Like putting weight onto a teeter totter, the placement of one ultimately impacts the relationship of the other. Having someone help you view the whole picture and sort through the complications of the pieces, how those pieces connect, and breaking things in to manageable steps can be helpful.
help you prepare for pitfalls and avalanche zones
Sometimes as humans, we miscalculate or underestimate risk. As this Harvard Business Review article states “The first reason for risk blindness is that reward obscures risk. When things are going well, we tend to fly high and lose ourselves in the thrill of the reward.” (2) So maybe you made some changes and things seem to be going well. But having someone there to help you prepare for challenges ahead, (and with changes there will always be challenges) can help soften the pitfall zones. If you’re prone to wearing risk blinders, coaches can help you take them off and be ready to continue on with more realism. Or maybe, you don’t wear risk blinders at all and are well aware that there will be avalanches ahead. Coaches are well versed in potential hazards and can help you be prepare to weather them safely.
help you learn what muscles you need to strengthen
Have you ever wanted to up your athletic performance and hired a personal trainer? Or watched someone on YouTube illustrate how to tone those perfect trapezius muscles that you’ve been longing to know how to highlight? Sometimes it can be helpful to work with someone who knows the goal you’re after, who helps you strengthen your core muscles and finesse your soft spots, even if those muscles aren’t purely physical. When taking on health changes, you may need to change how you think about growth and strengthen parts of your mind. You might have to change how you look at yourself and strengthen your self image. Health coaches are trained to help you recognize and build your strengths even stronger, and bring extra support to those softer places. (3)
inform you about what gear to bring
If you were climbing a mountain, there might be unfamiliar shoes to lace up, or face masks to wear. You might need to go to a store you’ve never been to and get specialty gear. When making health changes, sometimes this also means physical changes. Will you need to learn where bike paths are around your neighborhood? Will you need to buy a swimsuit to start swimming for the first time? A coach can help you learn to tie those laces, or refer you to additional experts or resources if needed. (4)
help you monitor your pacing, making it safe and sustainable
Climbing a mountain too quickly or too slowly can be life threatening. When making changes to your health, pacing is important. Certified coaches are trained in evidence based behavior change methods. They can help you tease out where your goals need pairing down or shoring up, to help you optimize your chances of success. They also have education in various health and safety methods, and will advise you to seek the advice of a specialists to support you if you’re veering into danger. (4)
Coaches can share their wisdom gleaned from experience
Whether it’s a coaches own personal health journey, or the time they’ve spent walking alongside many people making changes to their health, coaches have experience. Sometimes it can be helpful to have someone who knows the road ahead, just like the mountain guide sharing when the path will dip or surge, or if shortcuts are possible. I know I really benefitted when a friend with Celiac disease told me that envelopes could have gluten in their seals. It could have taken me a long time to discover that tid-bit, a lot of trial and error, and also compromised my health. All of that potential agony was saved simply because someone who had traveled the road before me shared their wisdom. Likewise, coaches have experience and support that can benefit you on your journey.
If you’re ready to climb a metaphorical mountain of health,
a health coach can be an excellent guide.
Health coaches can a be a worthwhile investment for people who are interested in making changes to their health. They have resources, experience, and wisdom to share. They accompany you on your journey and offer support, help you glean insights, make sure your goals are doable and realistic, and encourage you when you need motivation. With a health coach on your team, you’ll have the asset of a powerful ally as you climb to the top of your health mountain.
Questions for Reflection:
What feels like the greatest benefit a health coach could provide you?
What qualities would you like your “mountain guide” to have?
Still wanting to know more about what health coaching could do for you?
Here is an additional perspective of what health coaching could provide
Or, if you’re ready to add a health coach to your team…
In the spirit of quality of life,
Kristen
References:
- https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/health-coaching-is-effective-should-you-try-it-2020040819444
- https://hbr.org/2014/07/3-reasons-you-underestimate-risk
- https://www.cnn.com/2017/05/03/health/sw-wellness-coach/index.html
- https://nbhwc.org/what-is-a-health-coach/