For many, November has felt like a perfect storm of external pressures and seasonal change. Days have started to grow shorter and darker and, in many parts of the U.S., colder. In fact, it’s estimated that up to 10% of the population experiences Seasonal Effective Disorder (SAD), a subtype of depression that occurs around the same time every year.
REAL health coaching is built to adapt to the ebbs and flows of life, providing tailored, non-clinical mental health support when it’s needed most. These experienced, human coaches cultivate meaningful relationships with clients, which puts them in a unique position to identify SAD early and provide actionable interventions in real time that really work. In today’s blog, we talk about some of those opportunities where YourCoach health coaches provide much-needed support for those experiencing SAD.
Health coaches help kickstart routines made to combat SAD.
SAD is a complex disorder that’s still being studied and understood by experts today. That said, the Mayo Clinic recognizes that building in sustainable, healthy behaviors is one of the main ways to combat SAD and its effects. This is one of the areas where real health coaches can action real change. Health coaches take time to get to know their clients, studying their existing routines and schedules with them to collaboratively identify opportunities where healthier behaviors can and should be incorporated.
For example, health coaches take stock of key determinants for mental health like sleep schedules, nutritional habits, stressors, work-life balance, and physical activity levels – which have all been implicated in significantly impacting depression. They work alongside clients to create personalized plans where they can achieve more sleep; build in daily activity (even starting in small increments like 5-10 minutes at a time); create boundaries between work and home; incorporate healthier eating; and manage stress as it arises.
Health coaching interventions not only inspire manageable, healthier routines but these interventions have a real impact on mental health. Recent studies have shown that health coaching decreases depression symptoms by 66% and subsequently increases productivity by 32% (check out our Mental Health Deep Dive for more data).
Health coaches help incorporate proven tools to decrease symptoms of SAD.
The Mayo Clinic also recognizes certain tools as particularly helpful when managing SAD. For example, light therapy has demonstrated encouraging results in mitigating the effects of this disorder. While health coaches never “prescribe” anything to clients (as this sits outside of their scope of practice), they can provide education around light therapy, and more importantly, can help ensure this becomes a regular part of their clients’ routines if and when it’s needed. We always say health coaches provide support where it really counts – beyond the doctor’s office.
When it comes to helping clients take daily steps toward feeling their best, health coaches are equipped with the motivational tools and accountability that can help individuals remain consistent with helpful practices – this absolutely includes leveraging science-backed tools like light therapy. Through thoughtful check-ins, structured goal-setting, and creating adaptable action plans, health coaches empower clients to stick with positive habits, even during challenging times.
Health coaches catalyze resilience through gratitude, perspective and positivity.
Health coaches can be an essential source of support by encouraging resilience-building practices like gratitude, positive reframing, and maintaining a balanced perspective. The National Alliance on Mental Illness recognizes gratitude as a powerful counter to potential declines in mental health. Health coaches help make gratitude a priority, working with clients through regular exercises in and out of sessions where they learn to practice and express gratitude in meaningful ways.
Health coaches can support clients in developing constructive ways of thinking by helping them reframe challenges with a growth-oriented perspective. When clients begin to experience low moods, for example, coaches might guide them to view this as a temporary phase and work on identifying small, achievable goals to maintain their sense of progress. Because REAL health coaching hinges on meaningful relationship-building, coaches are able to tap into ways of thinking with clients that inspire resilience and generate long-term perspective.
As we close out this blog, it’s important to emphasize two things that are true at once:
- Health coaches provide non-clinical mental health support, often in complement to necessary mental health professionals like psychotherapists, psychiatrists, and psychologists.
- Health coaches serve an irreplaceable role in supporting individuals suffering from mental health conditions like SAD, because they catalyze change where it counts – beyond the doctor’s office.
Health coaches often act as a bridge between clinical care and daily life, providing ongoing support and encouragement that helps individuals stay committed to positive habits and perspectives, even during the darker winter months. At YourCoach, we know how necessary health coaches are for supporting physical and mental health and wellbeing, especially in the workplace, where SAD can take a toll on employee morale and productivity.
YourCoach REAL health coaches are equipped to help employees stay motivated and engaged through every season. Reach out to us at team@yourcoach.health to learn more about bringing health coaching to your team or organization and supporting mental wellbeing year-round.