Have you ever thought, "I need to start doing this again, but how?"? Sometimes we know what we need to do to improve our health , but the hardest thing is to make up our minds to start and continue. At such times, someone who can come to your aid is called a `Health Coach`. Some people also call it a `Health and Wellness Coach`. Let's talk about this in more detail today.
Who is this `Health Coach`?
Simply put, a Health Coach is your personal health guide, advisor, and support person. They help you make the lifestyle changes you need to improve your physical and mental health. Your primary care provider may recommend that you work with a Health Coach to help you achieve your health goals. Or you may decide to seek the help of a Health Coach through a Workplace Wellness Program.
No matter how involved, a Health Coach can help you take responsibility for making important changes in your life, such as:
- Physical activity
- Nutrition
- Weight management
- Stress management
- Quitting smoking and other tobacco use
- Sleep
Think about it, if one of these areas of your life is not working, the rest of it can be disrupted. For example, if you don't sleep well, you may not have the energy to exercise or prepare a proper meal. When all of this comes together, it can feel like a huge problem that can't be solved. That's where a `Health Coach` can help you. They can help you figure out where to start, how to make small changes and make big improvements over time.
How can a `Health Coach` help you? / What exactly does he/she do?
A `Health Coach` helps you set achievable goals and create a specific plan to achieve them. They also help you identify what might be holding you back from achieving those goals.
Help clarify your goals
Maybe you don't think you can make the changes your doctor has suggested. Or maybe you feel like no change you make will make a difference. Maybe you work two jobs and don't have time to add anything new to your day.
Your Health Coach will help you focus on all the factors that may be influencing your health-related behaviors. Then, together, you will create a manageable plan to move you toward your goals.
A Health Coach will typically stay in touch with you regularly for at least three months. This may be through email, phone calls, online meetings, or face-to-face meetings. During these conversations, they will ask you questions that will help you think about how you can overcome your challenges.
For example, let's say your doctor has told you to eat more fruits and vegetables. A `Health Coach` might start the conversation by asking questions like these:
- "On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the most important, how important is it to you to make this change?"
- "What kind of thing do you think is fair and possible?"
- "What obstacles might you face in getting this done properly? What are the challenges?"
- "How is the environment at your home?"
- "What kind of plan can we make to help you eat more fruits and vegetables?"
Remember, a `Health Coach` does not tell you to "do this, do that." That is not what `Health Coaching` is about. Instead, they help you think about your current situation and guide you to make the changes you feel are right for you .
Help in identifying obstacles to achieving goals (`Addressing Barriers`)
A `Health Coach` knows that personal choices are only one part of the problem. Just thinking, "I need to eat more fruits and vegetables," won't make it happen. There may be other factors in your life – we call them ``Social Determinants of Health`` – that influence your food choices, as well as many other health-related choices. Overcoming these barriers can be really difficult.
For example, you may have limited access to nutritious food (`(Food Insecurity)`). Or your street may not have sidewalks, so it may not be safe to go outside for a walk. Maybe you don't have someone you trust to look after your children, so it may be difficult to make ``self-care`` a priority.
Your Health Coach can talk to you about resources that can help you manage these factors. This can help you reduce the impact of these factors on your health. Most importantly, a Health Coach's goal is to support you, not to judge or blame you. Talking openly and honestly with your Health Coach about what's going on in your life will help them find solutions that work best for you.
What are the benefits of working with a `Health Coach`?
Working with a `Health and Wellness Coach` can help you with things like:
- Identify your strengths .
- Use those strengths to achieve your goals .
- Develop confidence in yourself and your ability to make changes (`(Self-efficacy)`).
- Make a plan that you can happily follow .
But the benefits aren't just limited to your attitudes and beliefs. Research has shown that Health Coaching can lead to measurable improvements in:
- Blood Pressure
- Cholesterol levels
- Blood sugar levels
- Body Weight
- Respiratory Fitness (`(Aerobic Fitness)`)
These benefits may vary depending on the `Health Coaching` program. Typically, you will get the most benefit from an `Evidence-Based` `Health Coaching` program. These types of programs are available through your doctor's office or through wellness programs at your workplace. Coaches you find in person may or may not use these same scientific methods.
What qualifications are needed to become a `Health Coach`? (You too should know)
In some countries, the title `Health Coach` is open to anyone. Therefore, it is possible for someone to provide services as a `Health Coach` without any proper training. However, there are two specific steps to becoming a `Certified Health Coach`:
1. Completion of a `Health Coach` training program.
2. Pass an exam to obtain `Health Coach` certification.
In countries like the United States, there are several professional organizations that set standards for Health Coach training and certification. Some examples are:
- `National Society of Health Coaches (NSHC): This organization provides training to those already working in healthcare (e.g., nurses, dietitians, social workers). After training, they are eligible to take the `Certified Health Coach (CHC)` exam.
- National Board for Health & Wellness Coaching (NBHWC): This organization oversees training programs that allow people without a medical license to enter the field of Health Coaching. They have a list of approved training programs. By completing one of these programs and passing the NBHWC National Board Certification Exam, you will receive the National Board Certified-Health and Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC) certification.
- American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation (AHNCC): This organization conducts a special exam for nurses to be certified as Nurse Coaches. Registered Nurses (RNs) can earn either the Nurse Coach Board Certified (NC-BC®) or the Health and Wellness Nurse Coach Board Certified (HWNC-BC®) certifications.
These are just examples. The most important thing is to make sure that the `Health Coach` you choose has good training and a recognized certification .
How do you choose a good `Health Coach`?
A health coach recommended by your doctor's office or your workplace is likely to be a reputable and trustworthy person. But if you're looking for someone on your own, it can be difficult to know who to choose.
Here are some questions to ask yourself if you are choosing a `Health Coach`:
- "What training do you have?"
- "What professional certifications do you have?"
- "What is your `Scope of Practice`? (That is, what services can a `Health Coach` legally provide)"
- "Can you give me some references I can talk to?"
- "What kind of scientific research is your training method based on?"
If you are unsure about the answers you get, or if someone is reluctant to provide information, it is best to find someone else. You can also check the directories on the websites of professional organizations, such as the aforementioned NBHWC, to verify the credentials of a Health Coach.
How is a `Health Coach` different from other healthcare providers (such as doctors, counselors)?
A `Health Coach` is someone who can be a good complement when working with your other healthcare providers. That means:
- Your family doctor (Primary Care Provider)
- Dietitian
- Physical Therapist
- Counselor
While these others give you medical recommendations and treatment plans, a Health Coach focuses on the behaviors needed to implement those plans.
A `Health Coach` is an expert in `Behavior Change` . They help you:
- Build problem-solving skills.
- Develop mental coping skills.
- Set action steps to achieve your health goals.
With your permission, a Health Coach can also work collaboratively between you and your healthcare team.
Who is this `Nurse Health Coach`?
A `Nurse Health Coach` is a Registered Nurse (RN). They receive additional training in the field of `Nurse Coaching`. They learn how to coach people and help them change their behaviors. `Nurse Health Coach` work in various settings, such as hospitals and institutions.
Finally, things to remember (Take-Home Message)
There are days when you wake up in the morning and feel like you can move mountains. Those days are great! But there are also days when it feels like you can't even move a single pebble. When you're trying to manage your health, you can have a lot of those "pebble" days. Then you can't even figure out how to make up your mind to move forward.
That's where a Health Coach can help you. They know that making changes can feel overwhelming rather than exciting. They also know that even with all the determination in the world, it can be hard to overcome some obstacles. They want to help you develop your inner strength, while guiding you to use every resource you have to reach your health goals .
If you'd like to work with a Health Coach, ask your doctor for a referral. They can help you find a well-trained, reputable Health Coach. That way, you can get the most out of your journey!
` Health Coach, Wellness Coach, Lifestyle Change, Health Goals, Mental Health, Nutrition, Exercise
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