healthcare life coaching

Healthcare Life Coaching Advice for 2024 Wellness!

Posted on by Dominick Flarey
A figure at a fork in the road. One road is junk food and the other is healthy options.
Healthcare Life Coaching is all about making the best choice!

By – James M. Katz, BA

In today’s fast-paced world, maintaining optimal health and well-being can often feel like an uphill battle. Between work, family, and personal obligations, it’s easy to neglect our own health and put our well-being on the backburner. However, there is a solution that can help transform your approach to health and wellness: healthcare life coaching.

Life coaching is a powerful tool that can guide you on your journey to optimal health. It combines the principles of traditional life coaching with a deep understanding of the healthcare system and the unique challenges individuals face when it comes to their well-being. By working with a healthcare life coach, you can gain the knowledge, support, and motivation you need to take charge of your health and transform your life.

Healthcare Coaching advice can come from a number of sources. As seen in the quoted article below, it details small yet meaningful resolutions you can follow to improve your health and well-being into the new year! They article shows these resolutions don’t have to be monstrous or life altering to help improve your health and wellness.  The author suggests simple changes like a new health routine or simply expressing gratitude. For the full article please click the link below.

Making New Year’s resolutions is easy. Keeping them is hard. Too often, we set resolutions to make sweeping, multistep changes that are well-intentioned but unrealistic.

One year, I resolved to prep our family meals for the week every Sunday. I bought containers to store each meal, created a menu and grocery list, went shopping, and then came home with all the food, only to realize I was completely unmotivated to give up my Sunday afternoon cooking a week’s worth of meals at once. Instead, I decided to make each meal as needed, as I always did.

4 simple daily health resolutions that matter more than you think. By Dana Santas, CNN. Published 5:00 AM EST, Sun December 31, 2023

Full Article Here

Commentary:

Understanding the role of a healthcare life coach

A healthcare life coach is a trained professional who specializes in helping individuals achieve their health and wellness goals. Unlike traditional healthcare providers, who focus primarily on diagnosing and treating medical conditions, healthcare life coaches take a holistic approach to well-being. They work with clients on a one-on-one basis, addressing not only physical health but also the emotional, mental, and spiritual aspects of well-being.

One of the key roles of a healthcare life coach is to act as a guide and mentor. They help clients navigate the often complex healthcare system, providing them with the information they need to make informed decisions about their health. They also support clients in setting realistic goals and developing a personalized plan of action to achieve those goals. Whether it’s losing weight, managing stress, or improving overall fitness, a healthcare life coach can provide the guidance and accountability needed to succeed.

Benefits of healthcare life coaching

The benefits of life coaching are numerous and far-reaching. One of the primary benefits is the ability to gain a deeper understanding of your own health and well-being. Through working with a healthcare life coach, you can gain insights into your habits, behaviors, and beliefs that may be impacting your health. This self-awareness can be a powerful catalyst for change, leading to improved overall well-being.

Another key benefit of healthcare life coaching is the personalized support and accountability it provides. Unlike other wellness programs or self-help approaches, healthcare life coaching is tailored to the individual. Your coach will work with you to develop a customized plan that takes into account your unique needs, preferences, and circumstances. They will also provide ongoing support and encouragement, helping you stay motivated and on track towards your goals.A lady standing in her kitchen choosing a vegetable.

How healthcare life coaching can transform your well-being

Healthcare life coaching has the potential to transform your well-being in profound ways. By addressing all aspects of health – physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual – you can experience a holistic transformation that positively impacts every area of your life.

One of the ways healthcare life coaching can transform your well-being is by helping you make sustainable lifestyle changes. Many people struggle with making lasting changes to their health habits because they approach it from a place of deprivation or punishment. Healthcare life coaching takes a different approach, focusing on empowering you to make choices that align with your values and priorities. This shift in mindset can lead to long-term, sustainable change that improves your overall well-being.

Another way healthcare life coaching can transform your well-being is by helping you develop a positive relationship with yourself and your body. In a society that often places unrealistic expectations on appearance and promotes negative body image, it can be challenging to cultivate self-acceptance and self-love. A healthcare life coach can help you challenge limiting beliefs, develop a positive body image, and cultivate self-compassion. This newfound self-acceptance and self-love can have a profound impact on your overall well-being.

The importance of setting goals in healthcare coaching

Setting goals is an integral part of the healthcare life coaching process. Goals provide a clear direction and focus, giving you something to work towards. They also serve as a benchmark for progress, allowing you to track your success and celebrate your achievements along the way.

When setting goals in healthcare life coaching, it’s important to be specific and measurable. Vague goals, such as “get healthy” or “lose weight,” are difficult to track and can lead to frustration and lack of motivation. Instead, set goals that are specific and measurable, such as “exercise for 30 minutes, three times a week” or “reduce sugar intake to less than 25 grams per day.” This level of specificity allows you to track your progress and make adjustments as needed.

In addition to being specific and measurable, goals in healthcare life coaching should also be realistic and achievable. Setting unrealistic goals can set you up for failure and undermine your confidence. Instead, set goals that are challenging yet attainable, considering your current circumstances and resources. Your healthcare life coach can help you set goals that are both realistic and aligned with your long-term vision for optimal health.

Techniques and strategies used in wellness coaching

Healthcare coaching encompasses a wide range of techniques and strategies designed to support your well-being journey. These techniques are tailored to your individual needs and goals, ensuring that you receive the support and guidance you need to succeed.

One commonly used technique in healthcare life coaching is motivational interviewing. This approach involves asking open-ended questions and actively listening to your responses. Through this process, your healthcare life coach can help you explore your motivations, values, and priorities, and identify any barriers or challenges that may be preventing you from achieving your goals. Motivational interviewing can be a powerful tool for increasing self-awareness and generating intrinsic motivation for change.

Another technique used in healthcare life coaching is goal-setting. As mentioned earlier, setting goals is an essential part of the coaching process. Your healthcare life coach will work with you to set SMART goals – goals that are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound. They will also help you break down your goals into smaller, more manageable steps, making it easier to stay on track and measure your progress.

Finding the right healthcare life coach for you

Finding the right healthcare coach is crucial to the success of your well-being journey. A good fit between you and your coach is essential for building trust, establishing rapport, and creating a supportive and empowering coaching relationship.

When searching for a life coach, it’s important to consider their qualifications and experience. Look for a coach who has completed a recognized coaching program and has experience working with clients in a healthcare setting. It’s also a good idea to ask for references or testimonials from previous clients to get a sense of their coaching style and approach.

In addition to qualifications and experience, it’s important to find a coach who you feel comfortable with and can trust. Schedule an initial consultation or discovery session to get to know the coach and determine if you have a good rapport. Trust your intuition and choose a coach who you feel understands your needs and can support you in achieving your goals.

Integrating healthcare coaching into your overall wellness routine

Healthcare Life Coaching advice: a lady holding a small salad in a bowl.
Health and Wellness is simple when you have the right life coach!

Integrating life coaching into your overall wellness routine is a powerful way to enhance your journey towards optimal health. While healthcare life coaching can be transformative on its own, it is most effective when combined with other wellness practices and resources.

One way to integrate healthcare coaching into your overall wellness routine is to combine it with regular exercise. Physical activity has numerous benefits for both physical and mental well-being, and when combined with coaching, it can amplify the impact. Your healthcare life coach can help you develop an exercise plan that aligns with your goals and provides the support and accountability you need to stay motivated.

Another way to integrate healthcare life coaching into your wellness routine is to incorporate it into your self-care practices. Self-care is essential for maintaining optimal health and well-being, and coaching can provide the guidance and motivation you need to prioritize self-care in your daily life. Your healthcare coach can help you develop a personalized self-care routine that addresses your unique needs and supports your overall well-being.

Conclusion: Taking the first step towards optimal health with a healthcare life coach

Embarking on a journey towards optimal health and well-being can be both exciting and overwhelming. However, with the support and guidance of a healthcare coach, you can navigate the path with confidence and transform your life.

Healthcare coaching offers a unique approach to well-being, combining the principles of traditional life coaching with a deep understanding of the healthcare system. Through personalized support, goal-setting, and a range of techniques and strategies, healthcare life coaching can help you make sustainable lifestyle changes, develop a positive relationship with yourself and your body, and achieve your health and wellness goals.

So, take that first step towards optimal health today. Find a qualified healthcare coach who resonates with you, and embark on a journey of self-discovery, growth, and transformation. Your well-being deserves it.

Ready to transform your well-being with healthcare coaching? We offer a certification program in Healthcare Life Coaching. It’s 100% online, on open enrollment and self-paced. If you’d like more information in regards to our Life Coaching program please follow this link.

References:

Cleveland Clinic – Health Coaches 

NBHWC – National Board of Health and Wellness Coaching 

Additional Resources:

Does health coaching improve health-related quality of life and reduce hospital admissions in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Hannah Long, Et al. British Journal of Health Psychology. Volume24, Issue3 September 2019 Pages 515-546

Access link here 

Personal Health Coaching as a Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Self-Management Strategy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Pirbaglou M, Et al.  American Journal of Health Promotion. 2018;32(7):1613-1626. doi:10.1177/0890117118758234

Access link here 

Adolescents’ Use of Digital Technologies and Preferences for Mobile Health Coaching in Public Mental Health Settings.  Aschbrenner Kelly A., Et al. Frontiers in Public Health VOLUME=7 YEAR=2019 DOI=10.3389/fpubh.2019.00178 ISSN=2296-2565

Access link here 

Telemedicine-Based Health Coaching Is Effective for Inducing Weight Loss and Improving Metabolic Markers. Kelly E. Johnson, Et al. Telemedicine and e-Health Vol. 25, No. 25 Feb 2019 https://doi.org/10.1089/tmj.2018.0002

Access link here 

 

Exercise and Brain Functioning

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Exercise obviously has so many benefits in life.  It is of no wonder then that it also benefits the brain itself.  The functioning and blood flow to the brain all benefits from good exercise.  It can strengthen white matter, neural transmission and brain functioning in regards to memory.  Physicians, life coaches, and personal trainers can all help individuals discover the best work out for their age and physical and mental needs.

The article, “How Exercise Protects Your Brain’s Health” from Cleveland Clinic’s Healthessentials takes a closer look at how brain functioning and memory are directly affected by exercise.  The article looks at the importance of exercise based off a study that looked at brain function combined with exercise.  It also looks at the effects of exercise on dementia.  Finally, the article related what type of workout is best for overall brain health.  The article states,

“Aerobic exercises are the ones to focus on here. That’s activities like running, jogging, biking, swimming or even dancing. Exercises that get your heart rate up are the best for your brain.  For most people, the goal of physical exercise should be to engage in vigorous physical activity three days per week for 15 minutes. Or, if high-intensity workouts don’t work for you because of health concerns or other reasons, you can aim for 30 minutes of moderate activity five days per week to get similar brain-boosting effects, Dr. Ross notes.”

“How Exercise Protects Your Brain’s Health”. Cleveland Clinic Healthessentials. September 27th, 2022.

To review the entire article, please click here

Frequent exercise can help the overall brain functioning. Life coaches can help one find the best work out for you

Commentary

There is a growing body of evidence that suggests that brain function and exercise are linked. For example, one study found that people who engaged in moderate to vigorous physical activity had better cognitive function than those who didn’t. Additionally, another study found that regular aerobic exercise was associated with increased grey matter volume in the brain. This includes both cognitive and motor function. While the mechanisms underlying this link are not fully understood, it is thought that exercise may improve brain health by promoting neurogenesis, reducing inflammation, and increasing levels of neurotrophic factors. These findings suggest that there is a link between brain function and exercise. Exercise also helps to reduce stress and anxiety, which can have a negative impact on brain function. Furthermore, exercise stimulates the release of chemicals that protect the brain from damage and improve nerve cell function. However, more research is needed to determine the exact nature of this link.

Exercise and Memory

In regards to memory, exercise is very important

There is evidence to suggest that memory and exercise are interconnected. One study found that participants who engaged in regular physical activity had better working memory than those who did not. Furthermore, another study found that older adults who participated in a moderate-intensity aerobic exercise program showed improved cognitive function, including improved memory, compared to those who did not exercise.

Exercise has been shown to be beneficial for overall brain health, including reducing the risk of dementia. Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability due to disease or injury. Exercise can help to improve brain function by increasing blood flow and oxygen to the brain, as well as by stimulating the growth of new nerve cells.

In addition to dementia, there is growing evidence that physical activity may be protective against cognitive decline, including Alzheimer’s disease. One theory is that exercise promotes brain health by increasing levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). BDNF is a protein that supports the growth, development, and maintenance of neurons. Exercise may also help reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s by reducing inflammation and improving blood flow to the brain.

Types of Exercise for Better Brain Health

Most suggest aerobic exercise of 15 minute intervals at least 3 times a week.  Others suggest as well at least 7500 steps a day.  Movement and keeping the blood circulating are key, so any exercises associated with this can help.  Swimming, walking, biking, or running are all excellent ways to help brain function.

Life Coaching

Life coaching is a process whereby an individual is supported in achieving specific personal and professional goals. The coach acts as a sounding board and provides guidance and feedback, but the client is ultimately responsible for taking action and making decisions. Exercise is often recommended as part of a life coaching program, as it can help to improve physical and mental health.

There is a growing body of evidence indicating that life coaching may be an effective strategy for promoting brain health. A life coach can help individuals identify and achieve personal goals, develop healthy coping mechanisms, and manage stress effectively. Furthermore, a life coach can provide support and accountability to help individuals stick to healthy lifestyle habits, such as eating a nutritious diet and exercising regularly.

Conclusion

In conclusion, brain health and exercise are two important factors that go hand-in-hand. By exercising regularly, you can not only improve your physical health, but also your mental wellbeing. A healthy brain leads to a better quality of life, so make sure to incorporate exercise into your daily routine!  Life coaches, and personal trainers can help one implement a variety of exercises to help with overall brain cognition and functioning.  Studies have shown that exercise and brain health correlate with each other.

Please also review AIHCP’s Healthcare Life Coaching Certification and see if it meets your academic and professional goals.  The program is online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification as a life coach.  Qualified applicants include healthcare professionals, personal trainers, nurses, and those with physical therapy, psychology, or person fitness type degrees.

 

Additional Resources

“Exercise Benefits Brain Function: The Monoamine Connection”. Tzu-Wei Lin and Yu-Min Kuo. Brain Sci. 2013, 3(1), 39-53; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci3010039.  Access here

“The influence of exercise on brain aging and dementia”. Nicola T.Lautenschlager. KayCox. Elizabeth V.Cyarto.  Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) – Molecular Basis of Disease. Volume 1822, Issue 3, March 2012, Pages 474-481. Access here

“How Exercise Benefits Brain Health”. Vernon Williams, MD.  U.S News: Health. Feb. 4th, 2022.  Access here

“Working out your brain”. Matthew Solan.  Harvard Health Publishing. December 1st, 2021. Access here

 

 

 

Healthcare Life Coaching Certification Blog on 10K Steps A Day

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Steps are the newest gimmick in regulating how healthy one is.  How many step apps are on phones and help engage and challenge the person to walk so many steps a day.  10k was one of the first goals, but how many steps a day do you really need?

How many steps a day do you need to take to be healthy? Please also review AIHCP’s Healthcare Life Coaching Certification

 

The article, “The Last Word: Do You Really Need to Take 10,000 Steps a Day?” by Lauren Bedosky takes a closer look at how many steps are needed to be healthy and what one should aim for.  She states,

“The origin of this standard is a little murky. But researchers believe the number can be traced back to 1965, when a Japanese company made a pedometer named Manpo-kei,or “10,000 steps meter” in English. As Shawn Arent, PhD, CSCS, professor and chair of the department of exercise science and director of the sport and science lab at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, explains, the rationale behind 10,000 steps was more about marketing than science.”

To read the entire article, please click here

Please also review AIHCP’s Healthcare Life Coaching Certification and see if it meets your academic and professional goals.  The program is online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification as a life coach.

Healthcare Life Coaching Video AIHCP

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Life Coaching covers numerous aspects of human life.  Life Coaches not only motivate individuals towards better health, but they also help inform individuals about healthier life styles, as well as helping individuals reach and attain goals.  Life Coaches can help individuals who need the added push and added knowledge in life, but also in any type of recovery.

Please review AIHCP’s Healthcare Life Coach Certification and see if it meets your academic and professional goals.  The program is online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification as a Life Coach

Please also review AIHCP’s video on its Healthcare Life Coaching Program

Healthcare Life Coaching Program Article on Covid and Return to Exercise

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Exercise for many was cut short when the pandemic hit.  Gyms were closed and individuals in the winter fell out of routine.  Individuals who are now starting to return to some resemblance of normal life are looking to get back into shape, but rushing to fast can be a dangerous thing.   It is important to gradually re awaken the body to avoid injury and to safely start to reacclimate the body to exercise.

Getting back into shape can take time after Covid. Please also review AIHCP’s Healthcare Life Coaching Program

 

The article, “How to Ease Back into Exercise Safely After a Long Break” from Healthline takes a closer look at easing back into exercise.  The article states,

“If you took a long break from exercise during the COVID-19 pandemic, you’re not alone. The stress and uncertainty of the past year, along with the closure of many gyms and need for physical distancing, have thrown off many people’s workout routines. Getting sick from COVID-19, a debilitating disease with weeks or sometimes months of symptoms, has also greatly limited the ability to engage in physical activity for many people. As vaccines continue to roll out throughout the United States and restrictions begin to ease, it’s natural that many people are eager to get active again.”

To read the entire article, please click here

Those who had covid, as the article states, may even have more difficulty getting back into regular form.  With damage to the lungs or the immune system, it takes awhile to return to optimal health.  Things cannot be rushed and the proper time and setting needs to be applied.

If you would like to learn more about exercise and staying in shape, please review AIHCP’s Life Coaching Certification and see if it matches your academic and professional goals.  The program is online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification in Healthcare Life Coaching

Healthcare Life Coach Program Article on High Intensity Workouts

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Exercise is always portrayed in a healthy light but some types of exercises in extremity or frequency can be bad for certain individuals.  Knowing what exercise is best for an individual is key to a healthy workout that is keyed into an individual’s needs.  Healthcare life coaches can help individuals find the best exercise routine needed.

What is the best intensity workout for you? Please also review AIHCP’s Healthcare Life Coaching Program

 

The article, “Too Much High-Intensity Exercise May Be Bad for Your Health” by Gretchen Reynolds looks at how for some, high intensity exercise can be counter productive.  She states,

“If high-intensity exercise is good for us, is more necessarily better? Maybe not, according to an admonitory new study of the molecular effects of high-intensity interval training, also known as HIIT. In the study, people who began working out strenuously almost every day developed sudden and severe declines in the function of their mitochondria, which are the energy powerhouses inside of cells, along with incipient signs of blood sugar dysfunction.”

To read the entire article, please click here

Please also review AIHCP’s Healthcare Life Coach Program and see if it matches your professional and academic needs and goals.  The program is online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification as a Healthcare Life Coach

 

Health Care Life Coaching Program Article on Exercise Times

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Exercise is obviously important to good health but certain people exercise better at certain times..  It is important to know when the best time to exercise is to maximize energy output and receive the best physical outcomes for health.  The ultimate reality is the best time is the time you can and do so consistently.

When is the best time to exercise for you? Please also review AIHCP’s Healthcare Life Coaching Program

 

The article, “This is the best time of day to exercise, backed by science” by Amanda Capritto looks into the best times to exercise.  She states,

“Both morning and evening exercise have health benefits and potential pitfalls, but for most people, the right time to exercise is not about how many calories you burn or how much weight you lift — it’s more about how you feel when exercising and how exercise fits into your daily schedule.”

To read the entire article, please click here

Finding a consistent pattern that fits one’s schedule is key to optimal outfit.

Please also review AIHCP’s Healthcare Life Coach Certification Program and see if it matches your academic and professional goals.  The program is online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four certification as a healthcare life coach

Healthcare Life Coaching Certification Article on The Need of Exercise for Sitting Jobs

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Sedentary life is unhealthy.  Yet, many Americans have job positions where sitting is a big part of their job.  With constant sitting, infused exercise is critical to good health.  Finding time to walk and have the necessary amount of steps for a day to keep blood levels and heart and lung health optimal is necessary.   Sometimes a percent can be in the office itself, with times to stretch and walk around but the implementation of exercise after work is critical for those who have sitting jobs.

Exercise is critically important for those in sitting jobs. Please also review AIHCP’s Healthcare Life Coaching Certification

 

The article, “11 Minutes of Exercise a Day May Help Counter the Effects of Sitting” by Gretchen Reynolds takes a closer look at how exercise can counter the ill effects of sitting all day.  She states,

“Walking for at least 11 minutes a day could lessen the undesirable health consequences of sitting for hours and hours, according to a helpful new study of the ways in which both inactivity and exercise influence how long we live. The study, which relied on objective data from tens of thousands of people about how they spent their days, found that those who were the most sedentary faced a high risk of dying young, but if people got up and moved, they slashed that threat substantially, even if they did not move much”

To read the entire article, please click here

Please also review AIHCP’s Healthcare Life Coaching Certification.  Qualified professionals can apply and see the program meets their academic and professional goals.  The program is online and independent study.

Healthcare Life Coach Program Article on Resuming Exercise

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Exercise should be part of everyday life.  When someone exercises consistently, there are changes throughout the body are beneficial.  Consistency and proper technique are important for the overall culmination of health

Getting back to shape can be difficult especially after the pandemic. Please also review AIHCP’s Health Care Life Coaching Program

 

The article, “How exercise changes your body after a day, a week, a month, a year” by Sophie Aubrey looks at the benefits of exercise as days and weeks and months go by, helping individuals see the transformation of overall health to the person.  She states,

“When you take a break from working out, your body shrinks muscle fibres and breaks down blood vessels in the muscles that are no longer being used. “The body is always trying to conserve as much energy as possible,” Robergs says.  It means when you return to exercise, you’re fatigued because high demand is being heaped onto your heart and lungs to increase blood flow through your contracting muscles, but your body has become less effective at doing this.”

Getting back after into shape, especially after the pandemic will present new challenges indeed.  To read the entire article, please click here

Please also review AIHCP’s Healthcare Life Coach Program.  The program is online and helps train qualified professionals in the area of healthy living and how to help others achieve that standard.

 

 

Life Coaching Program Article on Exercise and Mental Health

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Exercise is well beyond diet and weight management but is also pivotal to overall health in every facet.  Mental health is also a a physiological benefit of regular exercise. Doctors prescribe exercise for many people especially when many jobs are sedentary.

A overall lack of exercise is due to the pandemic and sedentary lifestyles. This can be also bad for mental health. Please also review AIHCP’s Healthcare Life Coaching Program

 

The article, “How to Effectively Prescribe Exercise” by Brad Bergin Noel Amaladoss, MD , Antony Amaladoss, MBBS, D Psych, F Psych review the importance of exercise for mental health.  The article states,

“The access to recreation centers and fitness facilities has decreased significantly for public safety purposes. This has made it particularly difficult to advise patients on how to pursue exercise. Yet, in psychiatry, we all prescribe exercise as a natural therapy to improve mood and manage depression and anxiety symptoms. There is a large body of evidence to suggest its benefits”

To read the entire article, please click here

With recent the recent pandemic it has been difficult for many to exercise as much with restrictions to gyms.  It is important for others to find alternative ways to exercise to maintain not merely physical health but also mental health.

Please also review AIHCP’s Healthcare Life Coaching Program and see if it meets your academic and professional goals.