The Importance of Wellness: A Guide to a Healthier You

Do you ever just wake up and wish that the day was over already? Not feeling like yourself anymore? Try as you may, sometimes the only thing that carries you through is that daily coffee/evening beer/Netflix and [insert favourite snack food]? If so, you're not alone.

Our lives are often a whirlwind of responsibilities, deadlines, and daily challenges. Amid this chaos, it's easy to overlook one of our most precious assets—our health.

I'm Stephanie Rolfe, a registered nurse and PN certified master health coach, and like you, I was tired of just living to survive. It took me way longer than I’d care to admit, but when I embraced wellness (not just healthy living), the fog lifted, I felt like myself again, and found energy to take on the day and the challenges I was facing. And you can too.

It's time to explore a different path to health and well-being.

My Story

My passion for holistic wellness was ignited by a personal journey filled with challenges, epiphanies, and self-discovery. I had always considered myself a health-conscious individual, leading an active lifestyle, and maintaining a balanced diet. Yet, when I tried to start a family and was faced with infertility, I realized that I was missing a critical piece of the puzzle. Several, actually.

Photo Credit: Sarah Fung

This pivotal moment for me was the realization that health isn't just about the absence of illness; it's a multi-dimensional journey that encompasses physical health, emotional resilience, mental clarity, and a foundational belief that you are worth the effort.

My experience led me to embark on a quest to explore holistic health and the intricate interplay between these dimensions. As a registered nurse with a background in kinesiology and health sciences, I thought I knew a lot about being “healthy”, but I forgot the most important part – living it, authentically. And for me, becoming a health coach offered a profound shift in my understanding of what that meant.

Today, I live with clarity and confidence in knowing that I have more power over my health and that all it takes is simple, meaningful action. Consistently.

Introducing Deep Health

In our fast-paced lives, we often treat health as a destination we must reach, a finish line to cross. But what if I told you that wellness isn't just about reaching a specific goal—it's about the journey itself?

Holistic wellness invites us to shift our perspective and embrace the idea that well-being is a continuous, ever-evolving process.

Sound exhausting? It doesn’t have to be – not if you have the right guide and supports in place.

As a health coach, my role is to be your guide, your partner, and your advocate on this wellness journey. I don't hold the answers to all your questions, but I am here to ask you the right questions and provide the support you need to uncover them yourself.

To embark on this transformative journey, it's essential to understand the key building blocks that make up your holistic wellbeing, also known as “Deep Health”:

Image Credit: Precision Nutrition, October 2023

Each of these building blocks is interconnected, and together, they create the symphony of your life. If you'd like to read more about Deep Health, check out this fantastic article by Precision Nutrition - As a health coach, I'll work with you to address these elements, setting achievable goals, offering guidance, and providing support at every step.

Remember, the journey to holistic wellness is a continuous one, and it's perfectly okay to start at your own pace.

It Starts with You

The essence of holistic wellness lies in self-discovery and the realization that there is always room for improvement. It's not about striving for perfection but striving for progress, one step at a time.

And as just so happens, your first step may very well be to read this article – well done! You are open to seeing new perspectives, you are considering making some changes or maybe you’re already starting to make a plan and take some action, and best yet, you are building your network of support.

Let’s run with this momentum and pause for a moment to ask yourself a few questions.

Reflect on your wellness journey so far….

• What aspects of your life could use more attention?

• Where do you envision positive change?

• If you could make any changes to your life right now, what would they be?

• Where do you see yourself a year from now?

• Could I be doing more today to support my goals?

If you’re feeling a bit stuck, here’s an example…

Maybe you’re waking up feeling exhausted. You don’t want to get out of bed, let alone put any effort into getting to the gym before work or starting your day with stretches like you promised yourself you would. This leads you to rush your morning routine.

You don’t get breakfast nor are you able to make your lunch for the day and decide to swing by the drive-thru and grab a breakfast sandwich and a coffee – you could use the pick-me-up. But now you’re late. And grumpy. And really need to use the bathroom, but of course there’s a staff meeting first thing. The day continues its downward spiral….

But what if you went to bed a little earlier?

What if you shut down your phone at 8pm?

What if you prepped your breakfast or lunch the night before?

What if you didn’t drink at the bar with friends last night?

What if…

There’s a million different possibilities to explore. But here’s the thing - you won’t know what will make a difference, until you actually decide that something needs changing. We allow ourselves to remain in negative behaviour loops that usually don’t serve us in the long run and rather than finding an alternate path, we find ways to patch the problem. Only for more problems to arise.

So, today, I encourage you ask yourself what is wrong. Acknowledge it and the fact that it can be changed. And then do something different.

Working with a Health Coach

In the journey toward holistic wellness, a health coach plays a pivotal role as your guide, motivator, and partner. As a registered nurse and certified master coach, I'm here to help you navigate the intricate path of well-being with expertise, empathy, and unwavering support.

Here’s a few of the many ways I support my clients:

1. Setting Personalized Goals: Your holistic wellness journey begins with setting personalized, achievable goals. A health coach will work closely with you to define these objectives, whether they relate to weight management, stress reduction, mental clarity, or overall vitality. We'll ensure your goals align with your values and priorities, making them both meaningful and motivating.

2. Offering Guidance and Accountability: Accountability is a powerful catalyst for change. A health coach provides the guidance you need to make informed choices and empowers you to stay on track. Together, we'll create a roadmap for your wellness journey, breaking down your goals into manageable steps.

3. Identifying and Overcoming Obstacles: Life is filled with obstacles and challenges that can hinder your progress. A health coach helps you identify these roadblocks and develop strategies to overcome them. We'll address the barriers that have held you back, whether they're related to stress, unhealthy habits, or self-doubt.

4. Empowering Self-Discovery: Holistic wellness is as much about self-discovery as it is about external changes. A health coach encourages you to explore your values, beliefs, and strengths. You'll gain a deeper understanding of what truly matters to you, and this self-awareness will guide your journey.

5. Fostering a Supportive Relationship: A health coach isn't just an advisor; they're your unwavering support system. We'll build a supportive relationship based on trust, empathy, and open communication. I'll be there to celebrate your successes, offer a helping hand during setbacks, and encourage you every step of the way.

6. Creating Lasting Change: Holistic wellness isn't about quick fixes or temporary solutions. It's about creating lasting change in your life based on putting in the work to find the root cause, not just toughing things out or taking short-cuts to create temporary results. As a health coach, my goal is to equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to maintain your well-being for the long term.

My passion is helping you navigate this intricate path toward well-being, offering you the support, guidance, and encouragement you need to thrive.

Ready for Change?

Are you ready to experience the transformation that holistic wellness can bring to your life? Take the leap today and discover the power of well-being in its entirety. Contact me to begin your wellness journey, and let's work together to achieve a healthier, happier you.