A career as a health coach provides you with the freedom to work on your terms. Build your coaching practice around family, school, or other commitments to create a work-life balance that is best for you.
Health coaches help clients understand the meaning behind their behavior, using validated tools such as Bandura’s social cognitive theory and self-efficacy. This increases the likelihood that clients will successfully change their habits.
What is a Health Coach?
Health and wellness coaches partner with clients to help them reach their goals related to food, exercise and sleep. They may also focus on mental wellbeing, helping clients overcome stress or relationship issues that might impact their ability to make healthy changes in their lives.
While a health coach does not have to be licensed as a medical professional, they should have training in how to recognize emotional and physical health concerns that could require further intervention by a qualified health professional. They should also be able to refer their clients to other health professionals when appropriate.
In addition to their training, health coaches should have a natural interest in motivating others and a strong desire to help them change. They must be able to communicate compassionately and with a nonjudgmental attitude, allowing them to connect with their clients on an authentic level. They must also be able to tap into their client’s motivation and inspire them to take action.
How do Health Coaches Help Their Clients?
Health coaches work with clients to develop a personalized approach. They use client-centered coaching techniques to encourage clients to explore their values, reasons for change, and what they want their lives to look like.
This may include identifying any obstacles that might prevent clients from achieving their goals. Health coaches also provide support and encouragement when clients need it.
In addition, they can help clients establish healthy habits that fit with their lifestyles and interests. This can help them feel more satisfied with their lives and give them the confidence to make additional positive changes.
Health coaches often work with clients who have chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, or obesity. They can also help clients find balance in their lives, improve sleep, and reduce stress. They may work with clients one-on-one or in a group setting. Many also work for healthcare organizations, gyms, or doctors’ offices. Others run their own health and wellness businesses. They can work anywhere in the world.
What are the Benefits of Working with a Health Coach?
For many people, navigating their health can feel overwhelming. There are so many different diets and nutrition recommendations, and the fact is, it can be difficult to sift through all of the information to figure out what’s actually good for us.
A health coach can be a great resource for anyone who wants to get back in touch with their body and create sustainable healthy lifestyle habits that will last a lifetime. They’re also often the perfect partner for someone who may have a specific health goal in mind, like losing weight or improving their blood pressure or cholesterol levels.
For corporate wellness programs, an onsite health coach can help employees stay on track with their well-being goals and provide them with the support and accountability they need to succeed. This can result in better biomarker outcomes, as well as reduced stress levels and increased quality of life. Ultimately, it’s about the whole person. And that’s what health coaches do best.
How Can I Become a Health Coach?
Health coaches can work with a wide range of clients. They may specialize in a particular wellness area, such as weight loss or sleep improvement. Many health coaches work in private practice, setting their own hours and working with clients to determine the best way to meet their needs.
Those with a background in healthcare might choose to seek certification and a formal education in the field. Health coaching programs offer undergraduate and graduate certificates and teach subjects like nutrition, fitness training and lifestyle changes.
Those who decide to pursue the career independently can also find opportunities with health insurance companies or businesses that offer employee wellness services. Some even find their way into a physician’s office, working alongside a medical professional to support patients. As a new and growing profession, health coaches are in high demand as people strive to improve their wellbeing. They need encouragement and motivation to change bad habits and make healthy choices.