How to set yourself up for success, whether returning to wellbeing or just starting out
What wellbeing is all about
Caring for your whole self—mind, body, spirit, community and environment—means engaging in practices designed to help you reach your full potential. Wellbeing goes beyond exercise and nutrition.
To help give the concept of “wellbeing” more shape, think of practices such as: journaling, sleep, mindfulness practices, spending time in nature, advocating your needs, fostering meaningful relationships, creating structure to decrease anxiety and stress, and carving out space for creativity.
While self-care sounds appealing to most, sometimes it takes a backseat when faced with the demands of daily life. Practicing self-care can be a challenge because:
- There aren’t enough hours in the day
- There are a lot of changes happening in my life
- I can’t get motivated
- I don’t have the financial resources
- I don’t know where to start
You’re not alone if you’ve struggled making time to care for yourself. Why not make today the day you commit to changes that benefit your wellbeing?
To help you overcome barriers that have historically made self-care a challenge, Paula Jimenez, Manager of Integrative Health and Wellbeing for YMCA of the North suggests working with a health and wellbeing coach—here’s why …
What is a health and wellbeing coach? How can they help?
At the Y, a coach is an expert in behavior change that serves as a connector and a guide for your wellbeing. A certified health and wellbeing coach can help:
- Provide direction and support for long-lasting behavior change
- You improve your overall wellbeing and self-awareness
- With day-to-day support in setting boundaries (with work, in relationships, etc.)
- You reconnect to yourself
- Navigate your health journey following a new diagnosis from a doctor, or in dealing with symptoms of a chronic illness
- You find what brings you joy, passion and fulfillment in life
- Refer you to other services that might support your goals—such as nutrition, massage, Personal Training and more
Using a whole-person approach often means integrating a variety of tools and techniques that will help. Paula says, “By looking at every dimension of a person, a health and wellbeing coach can create lasting change and balance, rather than looking at only one dimension of a person (for example, fitness).” The key to health and wellbeing coaching is focusing on your unique needs and goals—what does wellbeing mean to you?
It’s free to get started
If you’re ready to get started with coaching, or are just interested in learning more, contact George Wellbeing to schedule a free, 20-minute discovery session. (Note: George Wellbeing is currently open by appointment only.) During a virtual discovery session, you’ll have the opportunity to learn more about what coaching includes.
Following a discovery session, the next step is a Foundation Session where you will identify your goals, do a detailed review of your self-care and health history, and select a number of sessions to work with a coach and/or coaching group. Subsequent sessions can be done in-person and/or virtually. Need-based scholarships are also available.