AnnaMay* sits at a desk for eight hours after a 45-minute commute. The work culture is such that there is a drawer of candies for snacking and often the management team brings in donuts as a treat for the staff. There is the social pressure to partake in these snacks because that is what the team does. Her 30-minute lunch break is when she frequently gets in a work-out, which means she is eating lunch at her desk. As a co-parent, after a long commute home, she is making dinner and doing household chores while engaging with her family. Then hit repeat four more times during the week.

As a role model for her stepdaughter, a partner, a daughter, and a sister, there are many hats that AnnaMay is wearing while negotiating the choices around how she cares for herself. She sought out coaching to shore up the behaviors that would consistently support her physical and emotional well-being. What is most meaningful to AnnaMay is putting into place practices that allow her to feel strong and healthy related to the focus areas of physical activity, nutritional intake, and meditation. 

To maximize getting three planned workouts, AnnaMay joined a health club at the hotel next to her office. Earmarking three-weekday lunch breaks as her workout time, AnnaMay has been successful in creating a healthy habit. She noted in a coaching session that an area for improvement is her nutrition. The temptation at home – after work and on the weekend – is strong. These times are less structured and eating to support her outcome is more challenging given the food preferences of her partner and stepdaughter. Not wanting to make two separate meals, she often concedes to her family’s choices. 

After several coaching sessions, AnnaMay approached her partner to discuss his support in managing family meals. During her team meeting, she introduced fruit as an alternative to donuts. Both requests were well received. Continuing to finetune her intake, AnnaMay is eating the way she likes. Although a meditation practice is being considered, AnnaMay, has made many positive strides to shore up behaviors that will consistently support her physical and emotional well-being.

 *pseudonym 

Commentary:

Does any of this sounds familiar? Juggling work, family, and the desire to care for oneself in a way that results in feeling well takes intention and flexibility.

Coaching is a change management effort that takes time because it is about changing beliefs, habits, and emotions. Well-being is an interconnected process. Companies that care about their employees are more likely to have employees who care about the company. It is a reciprocal process. We have a golden opportunity to curate inclusive well-being strategies, such as coaching to unleash the magic that will amplify employees’ well-being by providing them with opportunities to identify, engage, and take on well-being habits to live their best lives.