Have you ever wanted to make lifestyle changes but feel overwhelmed at the prospect of doing it yourself and don’t know where to begin? Or has your doctor talked to you about specific changes they would like to see, but you don’t know how to put them into practice? Enter the world of health coaching and lifestyle medicine, where experts can help you overcome these hurdles and get you on your way toward better health.
A health coach is more than just a personal cheerleader
According to Janelle Wyatt, NBC-HWC Health Coach at Hancock Health, “Health coaching is a dynamic and collaborative approach to helping individuals achieve their health and wellness goals. It involves a partnership between the coach and the client, focusing on empowering individuals to make sustainable lifestyle changes.” That means you get into the driver seat and take control of your own lifestyle changes, with a professional helping you every step of the way.
In addition, Wyatt says that health coaches “provide guidance, support, and motivation, addressing various aspects of well-being such as nutrition, physical activity, stress management, and sleep.” They can help with all sorts of health-related issues and collaborate to create a personalized plan for each client.
Health coaching at Hancock Health is based on the six pillars of lifestyle medicine, a modality that emphasizes the whole person and the impact each of us can have on our own health depending on our daily lifestyle choices. These six pillars include:
1.Nutrition
2.Physical activity
3.Sleep
4.Stress Management
5.Substance use
6.Social connection
Health coaches dive into each area of a client’s life to help them strike a balance and overcome chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and stroke.
Find better health by going back to the basics
Health coaches empower clients and hold them accountable to making changes that can have a huge impact on their health. Wyatt recommends health coaching for “anyone who is struggling to become healthier and has barriers keeping them from moving forward with their health.” She emphasizes that health coaches help clients to figure out the best ways they can remain accountable while making lifestyle changes. Using regular follow-ups, clients will begin to find it easier to implement changes, therefore transforming their health and their life. And, because every person is treated as an individual, it allows clients to meet their own specific goals in a truly remarkable way.
Tips from a health coach for Spring
Ready to make some simple changes right now with the changing of the season? Wyatt recommends getting plenty of outdoor time as Spring descends upon Central Indiana. She knows from first-hand experience the benefits of nature for both mind and body and says it can help in a variety of ways, such as:
- Better breathing
- Improved sleep
- Reduced symptoms of depression
- Motivation to get moving
- Mental restoration
- Better immune function
- Protection from short-sightedness
- Improved emotional well-being
Want to know more about health coaching? You can reach Wyatt and other Hancock Health coaches by emailing healthcoaching@hancockregional.org or calling 317.477.9355.
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