How wellbeing coaching helped counter the impacts of big change

As autumn begins each year, Katherine notices a shift in pace in her life. It’s a busy time for her with work and an increase in family commitments. She is torn between the different roles she plays and feels under pressure.

Shorter daylight hours also impact on her ability to get outside in the light and her energy levels can drop. With Covid-19 making this year particularly hard, she chose to take a course of wellbeing coaching with me to prepare herself for the winter months. 

Katherine said: “I’ve started doing things differently. I’ve just taken on a huge challenge which is out of my comfort zone, which shows my resilience is pretty good at the moment.

“When we went into the second lockdown, I did feel an impact, I wasn’t on top form, but I was able to tell myself that those feelings would pass. There was self-acceptance I wouldn’t have given myself before. I reached out to my family, told them they would need to do some practical things themselves and also that I might need some hugs.

“This week I knew I was going to be on Zoom calls for several hours, so I made myself go out and have a walk when I got up each day. I also had a walk at lunchtime and ate my lunch outside. When I finished work on Monday it was pouring with rain, but I made myself put on my coat and go for a walk. I needed to activate my body and I quite enjoyed it.”

One of the strategies Katherine has adopted since our coaching sessions is making changes to her environment to help her switch between work mode and being at home and relaxing. 

She said: “I’m noticing the signs of stress at an earlier stage. I’m using those signs, such as a lot of adrenaline running, to think, ‘what little thing can I do?’

“For example, I’m part of a book club and because it’s virtual, I usually take part at my desk. I’d finished a long day and I decided that instead I would lie on my bed with a big cosy blanket and a hot drink and talk to everyone there. I would never normally do that. I allowed myself to calm down and move out of that work environment.”

We had three coaching sessions, one every two weeks, which explored the areas Katherine wanted to work on from a wellbeing perspective. By the third session, she had noticed themes developing for her which we were able to explore and she had various ‘ah-ha’ moments along the way which have led to her changes in lifestyle.

Katherine said: “I became more mindful of how I was living. The way I was thinking was shifting. For example, I didn’t go into the coaching thinking ‘I want to consider when and how I eat’ and yet I did and that was a really useful process. I experimented and found something that worked better.

“Rather than thinking, ‘I need to look after myself in autumn and winter’ I was exploring the territory and asking ‘what does that mean? What does that mean for me?’. My wellbeing is to do with all sorts of things, not just diet and exercise but attitude and mindset. I’ve opened up my mindset as a result and had a couple of ‘ah-ha’s about ‘how am I’ and ‘who am I’ when I’m looking after myself.

“Having done the work with Jo, I am much more conscious of reminding myself of what to do. I feel like my way of thinking about it has changed as a result and I know I can always pick up the phone to her.”

Looking back on her experience of coaching with me, Katherine said: “I raised the priority of my wellbeing and brought it into much clearer focus. Through that, I identified certain things that make it easy for me to continue to look after myself through the autumn and winter. That includes getting outside, even when the weather isn’t good, and eating outside. I now have a motto ‘be more French’ which sums up my approach. 

“I’m also more accepting and that’s very powerful. When I don’t feel on top form, I know there are reasons for that, it’s ok, and it will pass. I’m much more aware of how I’m feeling and able to make little tweaks as I go along.

If you would like help to look after your own wellbeing so you are better able to navigate your way through change and challenge, then look at my coaching for change packages.

You can also book a free discovery call to find out how I might help you.

Katherine’s name has been changed to protect client confidentiality.