It’s National Health and Wellness Coach week. . . and what does that mean to you?
Well, if you’re passionate about wellness and sharing the message of holistic health with others, then this is some seriously good news.
The reason is, it means Wellness Coaching is receiving more recognition now than ever before.
Recognized by our government and legislators who passed the National Health and Wellness Coach Week bill to create this commemorative time. Recognized by traditional institutions that are recognizing the need for Wellness Coaches in healthcare, And finally, by corporations who are creating Wellness Coach benefits for their employees.
Even by the Wall Street Journal in an article that stated….
“Large employers, insurers, health-care systems and other organizations are increasingly turning to “wellness coaches” to motivate people to adopt healthier lifestyles….It’s all part of a broader shift within the health-care industry toward keeping people well instead of simply treating them when they’re sick…”
Teaching Wellness vs. Treating Sickness is an important shift, don’t you agree?
Bottom line – if you’re considering becoming a Wellness Coach, there’s never been a better time than now.
It wasn’t always this way, though…I’ve seen a lot of things in my years (I know, I sound like an old timer!)
But it’s true….
I remember when I first got started in wellness and coaching over 12 years ago now. Back then, there wasn’t even a term for Wellness Coaching yet. Yet alone a week dedicated to Health and Wellness!
I got a lot of blank stares when I told people what I did.
Explaining to people about how I could help them as a coach live healthier usually got this response: “And what do you exactly?”
Helping people with their health in a non-traditional medical approach, focusing on lifestyle changes and holistic alternatives was still on the fringes in many ways.
It took a lot more educating about how wellness coaching could help someone feel and live better back then.
But today, almost everyone knows what a Health or Wellness Coach is and the holistic health field is booming. Which means there are more career opportunities than ever!
The career of Wellness Coaching has grown so much in the last decade right before my very eyes. And it’s been so fun to play a major role in the evolution as our community has grown and our Wellness Coaches spread the message of wellness to more and more people across the globe.
The impact IAWP Wellness Coaches are having is powerful, that’s for sure.
What’s really amazing though is this…
The growth has not only to do with our Wellness Coaches or holistic communities like the IAWP, but also because of this reason…
People are ready.
People are sick of being told to take another pill or that nothing can be done to help them.
People are sick of being sick.
They want something different, something better, something sustainable, something life-changing.
And they’re seeking the support of Wellness Coaches because they know that feeling well is more than just a number on their charts.
You’re more than the number on the scale, more than your blood pressure and more than the number of calories you eat.
Aren’t you just tired of being labeled with numbers?
At the IAWP, we are.
That’s why we created Wellness 360 for our Wellness Coach students to use with their clients.
To start changing the dialogue about what it means to healthy.
Wellness 360 is our holistic wellness philosophy and done-for-your wellness coaching system that takes into account all areas of a person’s life, not just what they eat, how much they exercise or what their blood pressure is that day.
Because when it comes to wellness, there are many factors that influence our total well-being. Like how much sleep we get, the quality of the air we breathe, how we move our bodies – it all plays a part.
Beyond the physical, our health is also impacted by our mental and emotional well-being. Our careers and relationships affect our health. Our finances and spirituality play a role.
I’m preaching to the choir here since you’re someone who’s already on the forefront of wellness.
But I want you to know that we’re on the same page.
And that if you’re passionate about this movement, we need you.
While we’ve come a long way with wellness, there’s still a loooong way to go.
We need more people sharing the message of wellness….
- Teaching people how to gain control of their health
- In schools helping educators and teachers
- In healthcare changing how we support patients
- In companies helping employees with stress
- In yoga studios and fitness centers reaching people who are getting started
- In private practice in our communities
- On television and in the media sharing new, better ways with the public
And it starts with you, this week.
To celebrate National Health and Wellness Coach week, find a way you can spread some wellness.
- Maybe it’s cooking a healthy meal for a friend
- Explaining why taking care of ourselves is important to your children
- Writing a letter to your school district
- Or starting a conversation in your workplace
Take that first step, because every step matters.
