Chronic diseases account for 70 percent of U.S. deaths. Health coaching can help individuals adopt healthy lifestyle behaviors that prevent and control diseases, including cancer.

Cancer care is much improved by the use of a coach to enhance wellness using an integrative, holistic, personalized and preventative care model. Through help with diet, stress management, exercise and other factors, holistic lifestyle coaching helps clients design a holistic game plan to aid in the prevention and control of illness.

Lifestyle Changes Support Wellness

Cancer risk, as well as the rate of survival and/or recurrence, can be attributed to lifestyle practices such as diet, physical activity and weight. These practices also impact the management of cancer treatment.

The American Cancer Society recommends survivors maintain a healthy weight and engage in healthy lifestyle habits to reduce risk of recurrence and mortality of cancer; however, the majority of survivors do not heed this advice. Breaking old habits and staying consistent can be challenging. Coaches help support clients as they prioritize their well-being and help manage lifestyle risk factors associated with cancer. It is more likely that individuals will make such changes by working with a wellness coach that can help them take stock of their health and wellness, co-create an integrated wellness plan and help them be accountable to follow through and accomplish the changes they want to see.

What is Health and Wellness Coaching?

A health coach helps individuals navigate the complexities of life and helps them discover those things that complicate the pursuit of good health. Once obstacles are identified, it is easier to create strategies for forward movement. Employing a well-trained, certified health and wellness coach as an ally increases the chances for success in such goals as weight loss, time and stress management, and improved nutrition, which can not only affect the course of an illness more positively, but can lead to greater life satisfaction.

Janine Gilarde is a registered nurse, certified health and wellness coach and reiki master teacher. She helps individuals transform their lives and mindset through holistic lifestyle coaching and energy work. For more information, email [email protected] or visit Coach4HealthyLiving.com.