What Is a Wellness Coach, and What Do They Do?

We’ve all heard the term wellness coach before, what is a wellness coach? What they are and what they do remains a mystery to many, leaving us wondering if we need one.

We’re here today to give you the full rundown on what is a wellness coach, or what some call “lifestyle professionals” so you can stop wondering and start learning.

So, without further ado, here’s everything you need to know about what a wellness coach is and their purpose.

What Is a Wellness Coach?

A wellness coach is a trained professional who assists individuals in developing and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The role of wellness coaches is to support their clients in making positive changes to their health behaviors, such as exercise, nutrition, stress management, and self-care.

Wellness coaches work with clients to identify their health goals, create a plan to achieve those goals, and provide ongoing support. They may also help clients to overcome obstacles and challenges that arise during the process of making lifestyle changes.

As evident from this 2020 case study, this form of life mentoring may help individuals with chronic illnesses or deteriorating health concerns cope with daily life in a way that medical professionals wouldn’t be able to dedicate enough time to adequately satisfy.

The goal of wellness coaches is to empower their clients to take charge of their health and well-being and to provide them with the tools and resources they need to succeed.

That said, some wellness coaches may also have specialized training or certifications in areas which can allow them to provide more targeted guidance to their clients. In this way, these coaches can help a large array of people going through different circumstances more efficiently than ever before.

In short, the goal of wellness coaches is to empower their clients to take charge of their health and well-being and to provide them with the tools and resources they need to succeed.

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What Does a Wellness Coach Do to Help Clients?

Some of the most common tasks of a wellness coach are:

Conducting assessments: A wellness coach may conduct assessments to determine a client’s current health status, identify areas for improvement, and set achievable goals.
Developing personalized plans: Based on the results of the assessments, a wellness coach may create customized programs for their clients that include specific recommendations for diet, exercise, stress management, and other lifestyle factors.
Providing guidance and support: Wellness coaches will work with their clients to provide ongoing advice and support as they work to implement their plans and make progress toward their goals.
Tracking progress: A wellness coach typically helps their clients to track their progress, monitor their results, and make adjustments to their plan as needed.
Offering education and resources: A wellness expert may potentially provide education and resources to their clients on topics such as nutrition, exercise, and stress management.
Motivating and inspiring: A wellness coach’s overall objective is to provide motivation and inspiration to their clients to help them stay on track and achieve their goals.

While this is the general rundown on what wellness coaches do, it’s essential to keep in mind that they cover a broad spectrum of subjects and tackle virtually any aspect of your life you’re struggling with.

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What’s the Difference Between a Wellness Coach and a Life Coach?

Wellness and life coaches share many similarities in their approach to coaching, but there are some critical differences between the two.

First of all, a wellness coach focuses specifically on helping clients to achieve their health and wellness goals, which may include areas such as nutrition, exercise, stress management, and self-care. The primary point of a wellness coach is to help clients to improve their physical health and well-being.

On the other hand, a life coach focuses more broadly on helping clients to achieve their personal and professional goals, specifically in areas such as career, relationships, finances, and personal growth. In short, life coaches aid their clients in changing their overall quality of life and helping them reach their full potential.

While both types of coaches may use similar techniques such as goal setting, accountability, and motivation, the specific strategies and tools used may differ depending on the coach’s area of focus.

Who Needs a Wellness Coach?

Anyone interested in improving their health and well-being could benefit from working with a wellness coach. Some specific groups of people who may particularly benefit from some sessions include:

Individuals with chronic health conditions – Individuals with chronic health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, or arthritis may benefit from working with a wellness coach to develop a plan to manage their condition and improve their overall health, as evident by this Plos One research article.
Individuals with high-stress levels – A wellness coach can help people experiencing high-stress levels develop strategies for managing stress and improving their mental and emotional well-being.
Individuals who want to lose weight – Those interested in losing weight may benefit from hiring a wellness coach to develop a personalized plan for healthy weight loss.
Individuals who want to improve their fitness level – Aside from losing weight, people who just generally want to improve their fitness level can see higher degrees of progress while working with a wellness coach.
Individuals who want to improve their overall health and well-being – You don’t need a specific goal or reason in mind when seeking help from a professional; just wanting to see improvement in your life is a valid reason to see a wellness coach.

Overall, a wellness coach can be a valuable resource for anyone who wants to improve their health and well-being, regardless of their specific goals or health concerns.

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Is a Wellness Coach the Same Thing as a Personal Trainer?

Wellness coaches cover a wider variety of subjects than personal trainers, who primarily work on physical health. You could say all personal trainers are wellness coaches, but not all wellness coaches are personal trainers.

Do You Need a License To Be a Wellness Coach?

Unlike many medical professionals, you don’t need a certification to be a wellness coach. There are tons of courses online created by people who draw from their own experiences to help others going through similar adversities.

Who Would Benefit From a Wellness Coach?

Anyone, specifically adolescents and adults who are looking to make a life change, would benefit from a wellness coach to help them create a plan for their well-being and changes to sustain.

Ready To Get Help From a Wellness Coach Today?

A wellness coach can help with many aspects of your life, mainly in achieving your fitness, health, and mental goals. With widespread access to the internet, finding one to fit your wants and needs is a cinch, and they can help get your life on track when you’re in a rut.

So what are you waiting for? Find the perfect coach for you.