There are plenty of positive side effects of Life Coaching.

SOME INCLUDE:

• • Increased Confidence
  • Get Unstuck
  • See life and challenges from a different perspective
  • Achieve a better work/life balance
  • Heighten self-awareness
  • Foster healthy relationships
  • Find clarity and deeper purpose
  • Add tools and resources for a happier, more joyfilled life!

STRESS AND ITS EFFECTS

If you are reading this… you have stress.

Of course this looks (and feels) different for everyone. And while our bodies are well equipped to handle stress in small doses, when it becomes overwhelming or prolonged, it can have serious effects on our health and well-being.

Let’s look at two of the most common types of stress.

The first type we’ll call day-to-day stressors. This could be in the form of relationship strain or mild abuse, physical pain (from a nagging headache or muscle pain to chronic nerve pain or a diagnosis of dis-ease), negative emotional loops, financial worries, prolonged grief, and a whole litany of others troublesome issues.

If left unprocessed, these everyday stresses can add up over time and create dis-ease within your body. Tight muscles, sleeping issues and mental fog are just a few byproducts which point to bigger issues.

The second type (for our purpose here) is abrupt trauma or drama that send us reeling into the Fight/Flight response. Studies show that this type of stress can also wreak havoc on our bodies. 

This includes events like:

• • The car that suddenly pulls out in front of you
  • You’re out for a walk and a ferocious dog runs towards you
  • Running late for an important work meeting

In all three scenarios, your body begins to shift its chemical production (increasing cortisol and adrenaline) and puts all functions that aren’t necessary for immediate survival (digestion, cell repair, etc.) on the back burner. It sends more energy to your hands (in case you need to fight) and to your feet (in case you need to take flight). 

This second type of stress could also include past violence – either witnessed or experienced – and can tend to ‘cycle through’ over and over when triggers activate the response. If these are left unhealed, the trauma can be debilitating.

The interesting thing about this type of situation is that often the reaction does not typically match the intensity of the challenge. 

The ripple effect of stress (either built up over time, or as a severe trauma event) alters the systems of the body

• • Your respiratory function increases (to bring more oxygen to your red blood cells)
  • You become hyper alert (your senses become more acute to notice danger)
  • Brain fog (more blood flow to hands and feet means less for brain function)

Often people become ‘falsely triggered’ which means that they are not currently in danger, yet the body is responding like it is (think PTSD).

The good news is that there is help! There are loads of simple, easy to do stress management techniques which can help you get back into balance. It merely takes awareness and practice. 

Here are some helpful ways to start:

• • Get adequate sleep 
  • Engage in regular physical activity
  • Surround yourself with people who care
  • Carve out time for hobbies
  • Eat well and limit alcohol/stimulants
  • Practice prayer, meditation, or stress reduction techniques
  • Bond with a pet
  • Journal
  • Seek additional support

If you have ongoing stress over time, you may be at risk for many health issues – some quite serious. The earlier you can get support, the sooner you can get back in balance.

HOW *LIFE COACHING CAN HELP

At its most basic, life coaching is a collaborative conversation between coach and client that can enable profound change through questions, deep awareness, new behaviors, and accountability. As part of this process, clients are empowered to make courageous decisions about their choices pertaining to life, work, relationships, health and more.

A good life coach can offer many types of support. Here is a short list of benefits:

• • Help you get clarity around your purpose and direction of your life
  • Give you tools to find your own solutions to life’s challenges
  • Many coaches incorporate rich, meditative practices that help influence how you show up for yourself and other
  • Show you techniques to develop better self-awareness
  • Offer daily habits to help balance stress
  • Shine a light on old, limiting (often unconscious) beliefs which may be sabotaging your efforts

RIPPLE EFFECT

The benefits of Life Coaching tend to ripple into every area of life. Imagine yourself more confident and sure. Are you ready to take responsibility for your own happiness and joy? If yes, then Life Coaching may just be the thing that takes you to the next level!

*For clarity, Life Coaching is not a suitable replacement for sound medical advice. It is also not appropriate for those with certain chemical imbalances linked to chronic depression, delusions, schizophrenia, and other mental health disorders.  If you are having thoughts of harming yourself or someone else, please call 9-1-1 or contact a mental health provider.