Comments from Wendy Reeves, founder of LifeGoal
Since we first came to be the human spirit has had to endure hardships. No matter whom we are or how we live, life will throw us difficulties that we have to deal with. In the face of adversity, how equipped are we to deal with life’s challenges?
It seems in this fast-paced world our healthy mind and attitude constantly take a battering, and more and more people are seeking help from their GP. And, in most cases, they leave the surgery armed with a prescription for anti depressants. This was backed up by my own GP who confirmed that she has seen an increase in the number of people visiting her surgery for what is perceived to be depression. She felt this may be due to a lack of tolerance nowadays to the general ups and downs of life issues.
While anti depressants are a must for those diagnosed with clinical depression, for those suffering from a general malaise there are other options available such as coaching. A life coach can help you to draw on your own resources and to find the necessary tools to help you deal with life’s challenges, to help you turn your life around.
Feeling down can be a manifestation of fears, limiting and negative beliefs about our self which erode our confidence and self esteem. This successfully sabotages a fulfilling lifestyle. It is a way of thinking that becomes a habit, the norm – subconsciously we criticise, see only obstacles, believe we “can’t” instead of we “can”, and we become a victim.
Clients often advise that they gained more from a few coaching sessions than they have from any other form of treatment, particularly when it comes to so-called ‘depression’. Coaching is not counselling or psychotherapy although it is often confused with it. Coaching works on the future, it works on what “is” possible, as opposed to dealing with issues from the past. That is not to say that coaching doesn’t refer to the past, but it does so in order to learn from and to help us move forward. If you do need counselling or psychotherapy then coaching on its own isn’t going to work for you, but it may support these other forms of therapy.
Stress can also cause problems with health, both physically and emotionally. A recent article published by Anastasia Stephens of The Independent states; “the effects of constant pressure – a form of chronic stress – are well-known. Robert Sapolsky, professor of biological sciences at Stanford University and an authority on stress, puts it like this: “In fight-or-flight, your body turns off all the long-term building and repair projects,” he says. “Constant high levels of cortisol take your body’s eye off the ball. Memory and accuracy are both impaired. Patrols for invaders aren’t sent out, you tire more easily, you can become depressed and reproduction gets downgraded.” Stephen’s article went on to say; “exposed to chronic stress for years, high blood levels of glucose and fatty acids increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. A recent study at University College London found that stress raised cholesterol levels, another factor that increases the risk of cardiovascular disease”.
In this country it does take us a while to embrace anything new or different. A good example of this is the coffee shops success. As a nation of tea drinkers we never believed it would take off. Now in every high street we are spoilt for choice as to which one to visit. Coaching is no different – more and more people are turning to coaching as they recognize the benefits and its huge potential, and this growth is set to continue as we strive for a better life.
If we want to be physically fit and have a healthy body we have to work at it and exercise on a regular basis. The same applies for emotional balance and a healthy mind; we have to recognise the need and work at it. We have to change bad thinking habits and turn them into good habits and, like physical fitness, it takes time and commitment. After a while, positive thinking will become the new habit, the new norm. You will become more self aware, confident and empowered. Just think how this could change your life.
