Why a Health Coach?
Among healthcare experts, the future health of US citizens is of concern. Even before the Coronavirus Pandemic of 2020 affected so many in the US, another pandemic of chronic illness was already ravaging our society. Sixty percent of American adults suffer from one chronic illness, and 40% have two or more. Chronic illnesses are generally caused by poor choices in lifestyle… improper diet, too much stress, too little sleep, inadequate exercise, and ingestion or absorption of environmental toxins.
Habits Can Change
Further, only 12% of Americans are without some chronic illness that would cause diseases like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or pre-diabetes, and only 6% of Americans engage in the top 5 health behaviors.
Another contributor to poor health is the way healthcare is delivered in the US. With few exceptions, clinicians have very little time with patients to educate and guide the choices that they are recommending, and thus are left with prescribing pharmaceutical agents and “managing” chronic diseases, rather than looking for ways to reverse or even prevent the onset of chronic diseases.
Health Coaching Supports Change
One way to bridge the gap between clinicians and care-givers and patients with chronic illness is a relatively new area called Health Coaching. Health coaches specialize in behavior change in a way that supports their clients in finding their own strategies and motivation for change, overcoming obstacles, and implementing treatment protocols that have been prescribed by health clinicians, by other practitioners, or that the client has chosen to implement on his/her own. Health coaches do not operate on the “expert model,” common in healthcare. They don’t lecture, prescribe, or dispense advice. Instead, they empower their clients to make the choices for a healthy lifestyle, and guide their clients, using the tools of coaching, to implement those changes.
Permanent Healthy Habits are Possible
Based on the above facts and figures, there is much to be done, and health coaches are at the forefront of this movement to work directly with clients who have comorbidities, and are prescribed multiple prescription drugs to improve compliance and adherence to their medical regimens. And with motivation and guidance, health coaches can support clients to make healthy lifestyle changes that will optimize individual healthcare objectives and outcomes.
Some of those health coaching outcomes that have been reported include: Improved weight loss, faster reduction of blood sugar levels in diabetics, lower total cholesterol levels in people with coronary heart disease, fewer feelings of depression, and improvement in overall quality of life.
“You are a blessing in my life!”
— OJS (you can read more testimonials here)
Start a healthier relationship with yourself now.
When you are ready, provide your email and a short message about yourself below and I will contact you.
Contact
Your first session is free; this 30 minute “Discovery Session” is for you to ask any questions you have about coaching, expectations, or about me.
Email
kate@mayescoaching.com
