Our current global pandemic has radically changed our lifestyle and previous behaviours, and has dramatically modified our ways of living.  While some changes have been beneficial (e.g., increased personal and family time), many of these changes have radically altered our normal patterns and activities. These changes have caused additional challenges to our ways of life, and may have caused new or exacerbated existing health conditions. Many of us are seeking new strategies to work with to help ameliorate the challenges or stresses that the pandemic has caused, and to find new ways of living more meaningfully. It is here that Integrative Health Coaching (IHC) can be a very useful resource, among other health-seeking options and strategies.

What is Integrative Health Coaching?

Drawing from the field of Integrative Medicine, Integrative Health Coaching is a wellness-based resource that usually involves a one-on-one, conversation-based interaction, helping and motivating you to achieve meaningful health and life goals. Integrative Health Coaches partner with you in a creative process that inspires you to deepen your learning, enhance your quality of life, create new patterns of living, and take charge of your health and wellbeing. IHC is an effective way to empower you to find your own answers, by encouraging and supporting you on your path, as you continue to make important and life-changing choices. When working with an Integrative Health Coach, you will focus on self-discovery, goal clarification, action planning, personal responsibility, and accountability. A partnership exists between the Coach and the Client, whereby the Coach walks alongside you as you navigate the challenges of life. Integrative Health Coaches specifically recognize diverse definitions of health, wellness, healing, sickness, and disease, and acknowledge different types of medicines, healing practices and health systems, both within and outside Western medicine.

How Can Consulting With an Integrative Health Coach Help You Get Through This Pandemic?

Even before the pandemic, many of us struggled with enhancing our quality of life, health and wellness, and were not exactly sure what to do or where to go. We may have experienced poor health due to complex conditions, or had a specific health concern or illness that was in need of help. Some of us may have had a specific health related goal that was in process. Others may have had a consistent feeling that “something was not right,” but were unsure how to proceed. We may have had trouble navigating our health system, understanding doctors and making decisions confidently. With the pandemic, all of the above issues have only intensified. While some issues were always challenging, they are even more challenging now. It is often hard to “see” the options that could help us move through these times to better health and wellness.

Alongside other health providers, Integrative Health Coaches can help to facilitate the process for meaningful change that can lead to a more balanced and fulfilling life, that is relevant to you. Coaching services help you identify and act on personal health and life goals, and open doors of possibilities. Specifically, Integrative Health Coaches can help you to increase quality of life, increase awareness of accessible health services, address specific concerns relating to particular illnesses and diseases, and provide tools for self-empowerment when we are feeling lost and unsure as to how to proceed. Integrative Health Coaching can also enhance your ability to navigate the health system, and to communicate effectively and confidently with your doctor about health issues, and your decisions.

Overall, Integrative Health Coaching is designed to increase health, wellness and vitality, enhancing your ability to make important life decisions and thereby increasing self-worth, empowerment, self-confidence, and happiness.

If you are interested in consulting with an Integrative Health Coach and think it may benefit you, a friend or family member, please contact Daniel Hollenberg, Integrative Health Coach, at [email protected]. Please also visit www.omdzahealthcoaching.squarespace.com for further information.