Myth #2: Health coaching is only for people suffering from a chronic condition.
This next installation of our demystifying series is aimed at one of the most common misconceptions swirling around health coaching today: that health coaching is only necessary for those who are already sick. This couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, it’s an especially harmful myth because it has the potential to prevent people from seeking out the support of a health coach if they are not suffering from an acute or chronic condition.
Here at YourCoach, we firmly believe every human needs and deserves access to a health coach. Part of why we feel so strongly about this mission is because we understand the breadth of benefits that become available through working with a health coach. These positive health outcomes aren’t limited to those who are looking to mitigate or manage the symptoms of an ongoing illness but also for those looking to reduce risk and live overall healthier, happier and more fulfilling lives. Today, we’re putting this myth under the microscope, unpacking the many reasons why every human at every stage of their lives deserves access to a health coach.
The Reasoning
For the past several years, we’ve been observing an important shift in the way health and wellbeing are addressed at a global scale. More and more we’re realizing that annual or even twice or three-times yearly visits to the doctor are simply not enough to sustain long-term, holistic health and wellbeing. It’s not enough to treat illnesses and conditions after they’ve been developing and even festering for years at a time. We need to start thinking about health threats before they start to manifest in undeniable physical symptoms. We need to focus on creating healthier everydays in order to create healthier futures.
This means preventing the development of potential future diseases by reducing lifestyle risk factors; unlocking our full potential as happier, healthier humans; and addressing threats to our mental, social and emotional wellbeing in addition to our physical realities. In fact, lifestyle factors like inactivity, smoking, alcohol use, and poor diet are among many that have major implications for future conditions.
For example:
- It’s estimated that physical inactivity is related to 35% of coronary heart disease mortality.
- Smoking causes an estimated 80-90% of lung cancer deaths in America.
- More than 90% of people with type 2 diabetes are overweight.
For more insights like these, check out our library of Deep Dives.
The Reality
Health coaches can and do fill an obvious white space in the health and care industry by addressing health goals where they really count—beyond the doctor’s office. Health coaches work closely with clients day-to-day to address individualized health goals focused on achieving a healthier lifestyle and a better overall wellbeing. Though these personalized programs can be focused on helping to manage ongoing conditions, cope and adhere to treatment plans or even reduce resulting pain or symptoms, often these health goals are focused on preventative measures—like reducing stress and anxiety; creating a work/life balance; getting more movement; practicing better sleep hygiene; improving social wellbeing; or striking a better nutritional balance. What’s more, sometimes health coaching is meant to optimize your full potential, helping you live life to its fullest and maximize your energy, creativity, resilience, joy, zest, the list goes on!
Most importantly, in all of the aforementioned instances, health coaching works. It’s the most effective way to achieve better holistic health for anyone looking to become a healthier, happier and more productive version of themselves.
For example:
- Interventions that reduce risk factors such as high cholesterol, smoking, and physical inactivity could prevent as much as 80% of heart attacks and strokes. 91% of studies on health coaching for heart disease prevention and management reveal significant improvements after interventions.
- According to a compendium of research in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine 88% of studies claim health coaching is effective in changing nutrition behavior.
- A 2021 study examining the impact of the VA Whole Health Coaching program, that was focused on providing mental health for the military showed significant improvements over baseline in mental health, stress, and perceived health competence
For more insights like these, check out our library of Deep Dives.
Here at YourCoach, we’ve cultivated a dynamic list of Industry Partners with whom we work to bring health coaching services to employees, clients, patients, and members, addressing a vast scope of health goals and focuses. This also means we’ve seen the firsthand impact real health coaches have on sustaining real health change in the long term.
If you’re an organization looking to strengthen your population through better health, send us a note at team@yourcoach.health to learn about how we can partner with you.