What is Wellness Coaching?

Self-discovery: through the use of various tools which help us explore our strengths and weaknesses, we can take a more objective approach toward lifestyle changes that lean into our strengths and adjust for our weaknesses with compassion. This is the approach of Self-love and Self-respect when we get caught up in our wayward habits while appreciating and utilizing our strengths to explore new pathways. The more we turn inward and discover our deepest gifts, values, and virtues, the more we can visualize the journey ahead and create small, achievable goals that will shine a light on the path ahead. 

Empowerment: Seeking learning opportunities can be profound in helping open up the pathways to greater knowledge and understanding of how our lifestyle choices impact our health and well-being. Through expanding our knowledge and utilizing various techniques to upgrade our habits, we can learn new ways of moving through our daily activities which harmonize our body, mind, and spirit. One of the key concepts that has stuck with me when comparing wellness coaching to Western medicine is that through intentionally connecting to the various aspects of ourselves, we can begin to recognize the cues our bodies give us and respond with care and compassion before the fire of disease gets out of hand. Making conscious choices to change our ways and upgrade our habits is not easy, but once we start recognizing how much better we feel overall, those changes become worth it and the new habits take root in our daily lives. And, one of the best aspects is that you are in charge of what goals to pursue and what feels manageable for you given your unique circumstances in life. As you witness success in your endeavors, empowerment becomes a gift that keeps the momentum going.

Exploration/experimentation: The journey toward success in anything we embark on is almost never a straight line. It involves setbacks, detours, and obstacles along the way. But, through seeing this journey as an experiment, we give our minds a chance to be flexible and open to exploring new methods when other methods fail. This mood of curiosity opens our hearts and minds to learning and growth which is critical to finding what works for our particular circumstances. From this space of open curiosity, our wise inner guide will be free to speak from within and direct us in what action to take when obstacles or setbacks come our way. 

Integration: One of the keys of integration is rooted in acceptance of what is. How many times do we make things worse by resisting and fighting against our reality? Acceptance does not mean we throw in the towel, but rather gives us an opportunity to integrate a possible new normal while still striving for better. One of my favorite examples of this is from my own life. I heard one of my teachers speak about changing his mindset from living in pain to living with pain. Living in pain gave the pain power to control my life. I was fighting against it, angry, frustrated and exhausted. But, living with pain put me back in the driver's seat. I could educate myself on what habits were putting my body under undue stress and modify those habits while also accepting that some level of pain might remain my companion. I could rest knowing I did my best for my body and my best was enough to give me an opportunity to thrive with much less pain than when the pain was in full control. 

Integration is about finding balance in our physical, mental, and spiritual lives. It's honoring our humanity while putting our wise inner guide in the driver's seat. When we find balance amongst the various aspects of ourselves and are acting from a space of inner satisfaction, confidence, empowerment, and resourcefulness, then we will find that we have the energy, strength and motivation to do more of what we love to do.

One of my favorite quotes that speaks to integration comes from the Serenity Prayer: please give me the strength to change what I can change, the courage to accept what I cannot change, and the wisdom to know the difference.