Understanding Lifestyle, Health and Well-being

There are lots of ways to monitor well-being, from a 'check in' at the beginning of a session through to the regular monitoring of performance state through an app. While the context and environment that you coach within may alter, including what you monitor and your methods, the principle remains the same: you're ensuring that the person is ready to participate.

To improve this element of your coaching practice, explore how you check in with your participants to gauge their readiness to train and compete and to consider their mood state, recovery and muscle soreness, quality of sleep and training status.

Mental health and well-being are essential aspects of how we cope with daily life, and include how we feel and believe we are managing.

There are many factors that influence mental health, including connecting with others, being physically active, learning a new skill, giving to others through random acts of care and kindness, and being in the moment. For coaches in particular, it is essential to pay attention to how you feel, and to be present, noticing your thoughts and feelings as they arise.

Sport and physical activity can play a positive role in promoting mental health and well-being, but it's important to explore how you can directly and indirectly promote and support the people that you coach. After all, coaching is noticing.

With many schedules overflowing with competing demands and increased opportunities, the need for a balanced, active lifestyle is even more important.

It is often said that 'you only get out what you put in,' and this applies to the mind and body too.

Create time and opportunity for your participants to express and receive gratitude, consider their emotional wellness and cultivate positive thoughts. It's also important to empower them to understand their nutritional needs and eat well, and to ensure they learn the benefits of regular exercise, rest and recovery.

These are all important aspects of holistic coaching.