A cure for the exhausted perimenopausal woman: Health coaching vs a holiday?
Do I invest in health coaching, or just need a holiday?
If you’re reading this blog, you may well need both.
A gloriously relaxing Dingle beach
Working with me on my 4 month programme could probably pay for a holiday. So why would you spend it on health coaching?
In this blog I’d thought I’d help you explore the pros and cons of each one!
You’re exhausted, you’re overwhelmed, and you’re ready for things to change. Maybe it’s stress, maybe it’s perimenopause but possibly a holiday will help you tell the difference.
How does a holiday help?
Pros
A holiday gets you away from the everyday chores and responsibility. You might get sun, someone else doing the cooking, and are only thinking about what to do for pleasure rather than what you ‘should’ be doing.
And you come back refreshed, possibly tanned and ready to hit the ground running again. Maybe with renewed expectations of your boundaries, career options and parenting needs.
What I often find on holiday is some great thinking time. Morning meditations and journaling without the pressure of getting the day started is a great way to find space to be creative as well as make plans. And to identify some sticking points in life where I need to create better boundaries for a more balanced life.
You might find that you sleep better, your digestion improves, and your perimenopause symptoms lesson while you’re away.
Cons
You come back home to the same busy, busy life, you run yourself into the ground again and may find yourself looking at new holiday ideas within a week.
That lovely, refreshed feeling has to wait until you have another holiday, refresh, and start again.
Within a week all that lovely thinking about boundaries and new habits feels a dim and distant memory because life is so so busy again.
As for those pesky perimenopause symptoms, they start creeping back….
How does health coaching compare?
Pros
You can decide what you want from health coaching, more than just a switch off for a week. It depends on what you want and need. My clients often want more energy, more focus, fewer migraines, better sleep, or a new sense of purpose, to make decisions about life and career in a safe and supported environment.
You know yourself better, forever. You make decisions, daily and when you need to, from this self knowledge and better clarity.
You get to understand what might be perimenopause, what might be stress, what might be lifestyle related and experiment with making sustainable habit changes to support better health and better perimenopause expeirences.
You might find your relationships are stronger, or they change. Your career or business feels more purposeful and aligned or you might change it. Your house may be tidier, your teens may be more helpful.
Or you may simply be a whole lot less worried about all of it because the shoulds are no longer on your shoulders.
You get accountability, support, and access to resources to support you long term.
Health coaching lasts a LOT longer. It’s not always as relaxing, you won’t necessarily feel better in a week. But you’ll feel better for years. I’ve had clients contact me 4 years after working together to say thank you and update me on their career, life and wellbeing progress. Even on the fact they show up in holiday photos again rather than hide behind the lens.
Cons
It’s an investment and it can feel different to sign up and really invest in yourself. I’ve been there, I’ve held my breath as I’ve committed to working with a new coach or mentor, or signed up to a course. I’ve wondered if it was worth the money and what I’d get out of it. And whether I’d be better off spending it on something else (a holiday perhaps!).
Some of the changes you make can feel different, can take time and be tricky. Your family might find new boundaries and less flexibility from you challenging (although this is where my support and accountability can come in handy too).
So, if life is generally ok and you’ve had a hectic few months without a break, and you know you can get back to a better balance after a break, a holiday is for you.
If you’ve been booking holidays in search of something new and refreshing, then maybe it’s time to explore health coaching.
If the idea of even booking a holiday feels too overwhelming, perhaps it’s time to talk.
How is it health coaching delivered?
You get 1:1 time with me every week for at least the first 2 months, and then fortnightly unless you decide you need more.
Deep listening and empathy
Gentle accountability
Regular assessment of progress
Access to my decade of experience working with women and the knowledge gained from the thousands I’ve spent on courses, qualification, books and mentoring.
Cost: £2500 for 4 months, payable monthly.
See this blog for more details on what to expect from health coaching
Or here for a more detailed outline of my health coaching services.
Book in for a quick call about whether it’s the right thing for you.
Often, working with me can really help my clients enjoy their holidays more than usual, because they’re more relaxed and rested before they even head out the door!
Wouldn’t it be lovely to feel more relaxed even without a holiday!