Health & Wealth!

Health and Wealth - What's the Connection?

People want coaching on all sorts of subjects including career, confidence, self esteem, weight loss or just a need to reconnect with themselves after retirement.

The fascinating common theme that threads through all of these issues for me is health, well-being and balance.  If you want to change your life for the better such as get a new job, the obstacle can often be your attitude and approach to your health and well-being. So for me as a Coach, this is often the starting point - to get my clients to recognise that when they prioritise their health and well-being, the rest slots into place so much more easily and things start to happen - quickly!

So how does this work and what on earth is Coaching?  Well, it's not counselling that's for sure.  Life coaching is a transformational and inspirational process that aims to bridge the gap between where a person is now and where they want to be. It recognises that we all have limiting beliefs and patterns of thinking that can hold us back and often those patterns are just beliefs we have adopted over the years that may have been helpful once, but are no longer useful.  Coaching combined with a mindfulness approach can help us rise above these thoughts and tap into a more helpful way of thinking which highlights many more options than we would have otherwise seen.

However, as a Meditation Teacher, I always help my clients develop a more mindful approach to life so it's not all about goal setting for me, it's enjoying the journey and being present in your life here and now.

So when I talk about health and wealth, I really do mean that the two go together.  To have a wealth of opportunity, to make a comfortable living and enjoy life to it's maximum, your priority and your starting point, has to be your health. 

I'll give you an example.  A while ago, I worked with a teacher who will obviously remain anonymous but we will call her Mrs P.  She was depressed, anxious and completely worn out as a teacher and found the workload overwhelming and he was basically demoralised.  Mrs P wanted coaching to overcome these feelings and also to manage her workload better.  She was surprised when I suggested we do a lifestyle analysis. When I worked as a past Health Trainer for the NHS,  the part of the job I enjoyed the most in terms of giving motivational and behavioural support, was that light bulb moment when someone recognised that looking after themselves was the key to a successful life.  It was exactly the same in this case.  Huge amounts of caffeine, high sugar diet, not having a proper lunch break, being completely inactive during the day were just a few of the issues that were highlighted immediately.

So during our first few sessions, me and Mrs P tackled together the lifestyle thing and she started to acknowledge that she prioritised everyone else's health and lives (her children, her pupils, her husband, her friends) above her own.  So a shift in thinking and self -belief was needed but she did it.  She started to feel more in control of her eating/health which in turn increased her energy,  confidence, motivation and the rest as they say is history..............let's just say she approached work differently from then on and actually started to enjoy it. 

 Mrs P also lost a shed load of weight too and this made her feel good.  She was able to keep the weight off because she tackled the lifestyle as a whole - it wasn't a diet. She learned to balance her caring for others with the need to prioritise her own health and this was the key here. Of course, the pressure and workload was still overwhelming at times, but she approached it differently, and it didn't de-rail her like it used to.

How many Mrs Ps are out there and can relate to this?  I don't want to stereotype or make assumptions but my experience and knowledge tell me that this is something around gender and how women view themselves and their own health.  But of course some men do this too.   Interesting isn't it?  Alarming isn't it?

We all do go off track of course from time to time.  My mum recently died and to say I went off track is an understatement.  I had to take some time out of work and reconnect with myself and I found that difficult.  But the coaching and meditation helped me get back on track quicker than I would have done before.  It was scary to meditate when I was in the midst of my grief - I was so scared to be sat with my thoughts but focusing back on my health - looking after myself, enjoying being outdoors - it all helps, it really does. Yes, I put a bit of weight on during all of that but I am being kind to myself, focusing on the lifestyle rather than the weight and dieting.  I have set myself a challenge to walk the South West Coastal Path - apparently it's 614 miles so it might take a while.  Have walked a few parts already and I can say that walking along the coast line and in the countryside has really helped with my grief. 

I'm looking forward to working with my coaching and meditation clients again after losing my mum.  It's time for me to get back on track myself.  I am really excited about my new course:  Meditation for Health and Well-being which starts on 10th November.  A 4 week course combining meditation, mindful living techniques and life coaching.  Can't wait to be doing the stuff I love again.

Back to health and wealth then - can you see the connection?  What would be your first step? Fancy joining me on my journey?

Workandlifebalance: Struggling to Develop a Mindfulness Practice?

Workandlifebalance: Struggling to Develop a Mindfulness Practice?: It occurred to me some years ago, that whilst I would describe myself as a Mindfulness Teacher, I am not so sure you teach mindfulness and m...

Struggling to Develop a Mindfulness Practice?

It occurred to me some years ago, that whilst I would describe myself as a Mindfulness Teacher, I am not so sure you teach mindfulness and meditation, rather you inspire it in others.

My job as a Mindfulness teacher is to create an inspiring, comfortable and calming environment that enables every day people to connect to it.  These are people who have been interested in mindfulness for a number of years and will have tried a variety of mindfulness and meditation classes but still, they think "I can't do it!", whatever "it" is!  For some of course, becoming still, being at one with your thoughts is a scary prospect.

When people connect with me for mindfulness, I firstly ask them just to let go of all expectations, control and the idea that there is a right or wrong way.  When they do this, they can then create an environment where mindfulness can happen. 

So what is mindfulness?  For me, very simply, it was like taking the blinkers off.  After spending the whole of my adult life until then, in a state of stress and rush, I could suddenly see, hear, feel, taste, smell what was in front of me, in this complete moment, and it was brilliant.  I also, of course, felt a little cheated, that I had spent so much of my life, not really enjoying it as I should, being worried about the past and anxious about the future!  But, now I accept, this is my time to notice and actually take part in my life and connect others to that inspiration and motivation.

I have been told I have a gift for inspiring others and that is simply probably because I believe in mindfulness and my life has improved because of it.  But I am far from the finished product and I am definitely still on the journey.  Maybe that's what people like, the idea of a down to earth teacher, with flaws and all, who can really relate to their lives .  I really believe that everyone can do this, because if I can do it, you can do it too.

More recently, I have been combining mindfulness and life coaching and my clients benefit hugely from being able to tap into a higher level of consciousness and potential.  It is hugely rewarding teaching people skills that they can use for the rest of their lives.

Are you struggling to develop a mindfulness or meditation practice? 

www.workandlifebalance.co.uk

Workandlifebalance: Are Women Really Living Their Own Lives?Over the...

Workandlifebalance: Are Women Really Living Their Own Lives?

Over the...: Are Women Really Living Their Own Lives? Over the years, coaching women has enabled me to explore  the idea of women living in their lives...

Are Women Really Living Their Own Lives? Let me know what you think.

Are Women Really Living Their Own Lives?

Over the years, coaching women has enabled me to explore  the idea of women living in their lives rather than having their lives done to them. As a facilitator of mindfulness living and as a Women's Life and Well-being Coach, I took that to mean that women often just get caught up with what is expected of them which is surprising really, when many of us, perhaps naively, think we are in complete control of our own destinies!

Some of us have our weeks/months/years/lives planned out and know what we are doing, who we are doing it with and where we are going at all times! We also know that the house probably could not run without us and that's a good feeling for many of us!

That need for control can be an issue for mindfulness and for meditation practice because it asks you to do the opposite - accept what is arising in the here and now and allow whatever occurs with grace and appreciation - without judgement. To accept that we have no control, the only thing we actually have is this moment.

Then one day, you wake up and think, "hang on a minute, how did I actually get here - is this what I really want?  Is this how I really want to live the rest of my life?  Am I really in control of my life or is my life controlling me? "

Of course, society tells both men and women that a high status career, marriage, kids, amazing holidays, weekends away, cruises, the latest cars are really important as a measure of success.  But when was the last time, we sat down with our partner or family and was really present for them?  How many weekends/holidays, have I spent, worrying about work or dreading returning to work?

As indicated, much of this is the same for men too and clearly not all men and women will experience this in the same way.  But I do wonder whether women have some other complex issues to deal with in terms of keeping everything going regardless?  Women, these days have to be everything to everyone, perhaps in a way that is not expected of men to the same degree. Yes, things have changed a great deal, but when you walk into my house and it's untidy and could possibly do with a clean(yes clean!!!), it's not my partner people judge but me.  And there we have it - women's expectations of each-other and themselves.

Yes, it is possible to have it all - the demanding career, the lovely house, always immaculate and well kept, being the one everyone relies on, the holidays.  But within all of that organising and planning to just keep things going, we lose something of ourselves.

So sometimes women suddenly wake up and think "actually I'm not in control of my life, my life and other people's expectations are controlling me. This no longer fits with what I truly believe in and it doesn't feel real. So control can mean different things to different people and maybe there are differences in experiences of control between men and women.  But we all would benefit from living our lives, actually being in it, rather than having it done to us.

Yes, you might be saying!  Brilliant, fantastic, I am ready to change things!

But ...........................................then the panic sets in: what about my pension?  What about those lovely all inclusive holidays? What about that incredibly high mortgage?  What would my family and friends think of me if we downsized and let go of the 2 cars?  So think about this, if you live to 90 and you look back, will you be saying to yourself, "I'm so glad I had that high mortgage, those expensive cars and worked all those hours to achieve them". 

Or could you be saying: "I love the quality of my life everyday and I have time for the people I care about" .

I have never yet seen a grave stone that says, "she was an amazing woman, she had a lovely clean and tidy home".

Not very inspiring is it?

To live an authentic life, often means letting go of some of the possessions/ideas which have been our priorities and letting go of some ingrained beliefs which are quite frankly no longer useful to us.  It requires some stripping back, and de-cluttering .......................of everything.

How many of us are brave enough to do it?

I suppose this has resonated with me because, this sudden light bulb moment that I had some years ago now, put me on that path of seeking a more authentic, real life that I could actually enjoy. It required taking some risks and some didn't pay off,  but others have enabled me to see life very differently. Yes, I still look forward to holidays and treats, but on a much reduced income to what I used to earn, but I don't do a job that I hate just for money - those days are gone. And basically, now I'm able to enjoy the huge amount of days in-between the holidays - my life!

I'm not there yet of course, whatever "there" is.  But as a Life Coach, I accept I'm on the right path, enjoying the journey and helping others to enjoy their journey too so that whatever age we live to, we could look back and know we enjoyed an inspired passionate life.

Mindfulness teaches me: just stop, look around, breathe deeply - enjoy the journey. 

If you are ready for that journey, maybe life coaching combined with mindfulness,  could support you on your path towards actually living your life, not having life done to you.

www.workandlifebalance.co.uk

Practical Ways to Deal with Stress

I have just delivered a workshop on “Practical Ways to Deal with Stress” today to a lovely group of service users at Rethink, who are part of Mental Health Action Worcestershire. They are a representation and support service for those who may be experiencing poor mental health or on the road to recovery and need support and guidance. This was an extremely positive experience for me as a meditation practitioner and reinforced why I work as a work/life balance Coach and Meditation Practitioner – it is the most rewarding job.

As a qualified Probation Officer, Coach and Meditation Practitioner, I have worked with a significant number of people experiencing poor mental health and understand that stress can be a contributing factor and that trying to get the right support for your own mental health can also be very stressful. In our workshop, we also discussed at length, the number of ways that we can often self medicate effects of stress such as drugs, smoking, alcohol and food – but these are not long term solutions and will exacerbate any existing mental health condition.

Our focus was on enabling individuals to access both practical and emotional tools to deal with stress and anxiety, particularly when experiencing difficulties with mental health. To see people who have tried everything else recognise how meditation( if taught in a way that they can access), can help them every day of their lives, is both uplifting and motivational. What a great bunch of people who also taught me an awful lot about personal resilience in this workshop.

This is some of the feedback: “I learned skills to help me to relax and spend time on. Recommend this as a most helpful way to relax and alleviate stress. The course and tutor were excellent. A great taster”.

“I found it very helpful in focusing the mind and enjoyed different techniques taught and group discussion”.

Many of the participants would like to join a meditation and mindfulness course and I really think this should be available to them on prescription via their GP, Psychiatrist, CPNS and other support services. It’s inexpensive compared to other treatments, easy to fit into one’s life and life changing and long lasting. It is also extremely effective used alongside other treatments and medication as long as delivered by a trained and experienced practitioner. I really hope to see an increase in mindfulness and meditation being made available to a really deserving group of people.

If you want to know more how we can help you with worshops, seminars, courses, one to one coaching visit our website for more details.


www.workandlifebalance.co.uk

Mandi Bishop

office: 01905 26312 Mobile: 07950 453458