What Does a Wellness Coach Do?
A wellness coach works with a client to create a plan that introduces healthy habits into their life and helps them make those habits stick. They often focus on a holistic approach to health, which includes physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well-being. They use their skills in communication and relationship building to empower their clients. Those who work as wellness coaches may find themselves working in fitness centers, nutritionists’ offices, schools, clinics and hospitals, gyms and other corporate settings.
A career as a wellness coach can be highly rewarding. The flexibility to set your own hours and work from home, along with the ability to earn a great income, makes this an appealing option for many people. There are also opportunities to branch out and explore the marketing side of the business by setting up your own website, starting a YouTube channel, podcasting, public speaking or running wellness sessions in your local community.
Wellness coaches help their clients reach specific lifestyle goals such as eating healthier, lowering stress levels or smoking cessation. They often combine a holistic approach to health with the use of mindfulness techniques and behavioral change strategies. They provide their clients with the inspiration and guidance they need to begin, and then they support them through any challenges that arise on their journey.
In a typical coaching session, which can range from fifteen minutes to an hour, a wellness coach will meet with their client and talk about what they want to accomplish, as well as the barriers that are standing in their way. They’ll then outline an action plan to overcome those obstacles and set long-term goals. They’ll then meet with their client on a weekly basis to keep them accountable, check in on their progress and troubleshoot any issues they may have encountered.
While health and wellness coaches do a good job at creating positive changes in their clients’ lives, it is important to note that they are not licensed healthcare professionals and cannot provide medical or nutritional advice. This means that it’s important to work with a certified wellness coach who can be trusted to deliver high-quality services.
Generally speaking, wellness coaches are very similar to life coaches in that they help their clients set and achieve personal goals in various domains of their lives. However, a wellness coach often focuses on the body from a holistic perspective whereas a life coach will typically focus solely on physical exercise, diet and lifestyle changes.