Self-care for Life Coaches: Prioritizing Well-being in a Helping Profession 

Life coaching is a fulfilling profession that involves guiding and supporting individuals in achieving their personal and professional goals. As life coaches assist others in navigating life’s challenges and making positive changes, they often neglect their own needs and well-being. Engaging in self-care is crucial for life coaches to maintain their effectiveness, prevent burnout, and lead a healthy, balanced life.  

This article explores the importance of self-care for life coaches and provides practical tips on how to practice self care and prioritize your well-being while excelling in your helping profession. 

The significance of self-care for life coaches 

While you are in the business of helping others, it’s essential to remember that you, too, require care and attention. Neglecting self-care can lead to burnout, compassion fatigue, and reduced effectiveness in supporting your clients.  

By prioritizing self-care, you can maintain your emotional resilience, mental clarity, and physical health, enabling you to deliver better coaching sessions and provide genuine support. 

A few ways on how to practice self care

1. Set boundaries and manage workload 

Life coaches often have flexible schedules, but this can lead to overworking and neglecting personal time. Setting clear boundaries and managing your workload is vital. Allocate specific hours for coaching sessions and ensure there is enough time for rest, leisure, and personal growth. By maintaining a healthy work-life balance, you can be more present and engaged during sessions with clients. 

2. Practice mindfulness and meditation 

Mindfulness and meditation practices help reduce stress, increase self-awareness, and enhance emotional intelligence. Mindfulness allows you to stay centered, empathetic, and focused during coaching sessions, which can lead to more profound connections with your clients. 

3. Engage in regular physical activity 

Regular exercise is crucial for both physical and mental wellbeing. You should prioritize regular physical activity, such as walking, jogging, yoga, or any other form of exercise you enjoy. Physical activity boosts mood, reduces stress, and improves overall health, enabling you to approach work with a clear and positive mindset. 

4. Seek supervision and support 

Life coaches need support, just like clients. Engaging in regular supervision with a mentor or peer can provide valuable insights, guidance, and a safe space to discuss challenges and personal growth. Supervision will help you stay accountable to your own goals and maintain ethical practices in your profession. 

5. Take regular breaks 

In the helping profession, it’s easy to neglect breaks and downtime. However, taking regular breaks through the day is essential for recharging and preventing burnout. Schedule short breaks during your workday and plan longer vacations or time off to relax, rejuvenate, and reconnect with your passions outside of coaching. 

Having trouble juggling your multiple clients and the day-to-day running of your business? Read our blog post on how to effectively manage your time as a life coach. 

Making self-care practices a part of your daily routine 

As you may already know, self-care practices work best when incorporated into your daily routine. Here’s a daily self-care activities checklist specifically designed for life coaches: 

1. Morning routine: 
   • Wake up at a consistent time 
   • Start the day with a few minutes of deep breathing or meditation 
   • Set positive intentions for the day ahead 

2. Physical activity: 
   • Engage in at least 30 minutes of exercise such as walking, jogging, yoga, or stretching 
   • Take short breaks during the day to stretch and move around, especially if sitting for long periods 

3. Healthy nutrition: 
   • Eat balanced and nutritious meals throughout the day 
   • Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water 

4. Mindfulness and reflection: 
   • Practice mindfulness or meditation to center yourself before coaching sessions 
   • Reflect on your coaching sessions and identify any areas for personal growth or improvement 

5. Set boundaries: 
   • Establish clear boundaries between work and personal life 
   • Limit the number of coaching sessions per day to avoid overworking 

6. Time for yourself: 
   • Allocate time for personal hobbies, interests, and relaxation 
   • Read a book, listen to music, or engage in activities that bring joy and rejuvenation 

7. Connect with support: 
   • Seek regular supervision or mentoring to discuss challenges and professional development 
   • Stay connected with a supportive network of friends, family, or peers 

8. Self-compassion: 
   • Be kind and compassionate to yourself, especially during difficult times 
   • Celebrate your successes and acknowledge your efforts 

9. Stay organized: 
   • Prioritize tasks and create a schedule to manage your coaching sessions effectively 
   • Keep your workspace tidy and conducive to productivity 

10. Digital detox: 
    • Set designated times to check emails and messages to avoid constant distractions 
    • Limit social media usage to prevent information overload 

11. Unwind before bed: 
    • Establish a relaxing bedtime routine, such as reading, listening to calming music, or taking a warm bath 
    • Avoid screens (phones, laptops, etc.) at least an hour before bedtime 

12. Practice gratitude: 
    • End the day by acknowledging the positive aspects of your life and coaching journey 
    • Keep a gratitude journal to write down things you are grateful for each day 

While you practice self care and making it a part of your daily routine, you may also consider different ways to take the load off. One of the best ways to save time in the day is to digitize your coaching practice – read our blog post on how technology is changing the coaching business. 

Conclusion 

As you play a crucial role in empowering and supporting others, it’s vital that you prioritize your wellbeing through self-care practices. Setting boundaries, practicing mindfulness, engaging in physical activity, seeking support, and taking regular breaks are all essential aspects of self-care for life coaches. By nurturing your own wellbeing, you can enhance your effectiveness, maintain passion for your profession, and continue making a positive impact on your clients’ lives. Remember, a healthy and balanced life coach can inspire positive changes not only in clients but also within. 

FAQs

1. What are some of the self-care practices for life coaches? 

Mindfulness & meditation, setting boundaries, physical activity, digital detoxes, practising self-compassion and gratitude, healthy nutrition, and having a morning and nightly routine, are a few methods of self-care for life coaches. 

2. How often do life coaches need to take time out for self-care? 

Self-care practices must be part of the daily routine – mindfulness and meditation, exercise, morning & nightly routines, and so on need to be daily practices to be effective.  

About the author

Vaidehi Mirashi

Content Marketing Consultant @ Simply.coach

Vaidehi is a content marketing consultant with a decade’s experience handling over 80 brands and multiple award-winning campaigns under her belt. When not working, you’ll find Vaidehi spending time with family, binge watching Netflix shows, and baking.