By SHANNON SKAE
COVID-19 has severely hindered people’s ability to achieve a balanced and holistic lifestyle, primarily due to the mental health impact of prolonged periods of isolation and lack of exercise. Globally, depression, diabetes, and obesity have been rising. The World Health Organisation reported in 2019 that an estimated 1.5 million deaths were directly caused by diabetes, while another 2.2 million deaths were attributable to high blood glucose. Meanwhile, the Health Coach Institute reports that approximately 264 million people globally suffer from depression. Factor in a pandemic and these numbers are now bound to be much higher.
Many people have struggled to establish a sense of balance as a direct result of life with COVID-19 – be it the isolation of on-and-off lockdowns, or anxiety around job security or risk of infection. One way to establish balance again is through a holistic lifestyle focused on a healthy diet, exercise, and self-care.
A holistic lifestyle means a lifestyle approach that is as whole as possible regarding diet, exercise, spirituality, emotional, intellectual, mental, and social health. When each of these factors is in balance, people may find that their lives feel more positive. When any of these factors are out of balance, such as when someone has a chronic health condition, they may not feel well, which may impact other areas of their health. For instance, if someone is depressed, this may impact their social health, further isolating them and exacerbating their depression; it can also affect their diet and exercise and make it increasingly challenging to manage their mental health.
Trying to establish a holistic lifestyle alone may be overwhelming, especially in taking those first steps. Re-establishing balance should not be a stressful experience, and this is why I would recommend seeking out a health coach to support you on your journey.
A health coach is a certified nutritionist and life coach that operates under the International Coaching Federation. Their role is multi-faceted, but most importantly, they work with you to set goals that you can achieve and support you on your journey to attain those goals. The overall aim is to help you realise your potential and empower you to make healthy and satisfying choices.
Anyone and everyone can benefit from working with a health coach. It does not matter who you are, your age, how healthy you are, or your level of fitness; a health coach will meet you where you are currently in your journey.
If you are looking for a health coach, I am happy to work with you in establishing balance in your life, whether that is in helping you with nutrition, managing school, university or work stress, or tailoring a programme to help you with a health condition, among many others. My goal is to work with you to re-establish balance, create a happier version of yourself, and make you feel as comfortable and at peace with yourself as possible.
Contact information:
You can email me at revivewithshan@gmail.com with any questions about my health coaching approach or set up an initial appointment.
I am happy to meet with you virtually or at my practice at Move Makhanda, 118 High Street, Makhanda – whichever best suits your comfort levels.
You can also find me on Instagram @revive_with_shan if you would like to read more about me. I am certified with the Health Coach Institute and the International Coaching Federation.
