You're facing emotionally draining coaching sessions. How can you prioritize self-care practices?

Is it a matter of what you are doing, how you are doing it, or when you are doing it? All of these can put a drain on you. Working backwards, would time of day a difference? Maybe you are doing coaching late in the day when you might have more energy for them in the morning. Maybe you should think about group sessions instead of individual. Or maybe you want to focus on product and courses rather than individual interactions. There isn't one formula, and you may just need to find the right mix that works for you.

Setting boundaries is essential, for taking care of yourself. Determine your availability to clients. Adhere to those hours. While it may be tempting to be accessible doing so can result in burnout. Make sure to schedule breaks between appointments and allocate days off where you disconnect entirely from work. This approach allows you to rejuvenate and avoid exhaustion. Keep in mind that you can provide service to your clients when you're operating at your peak and establishing boundaries is key, to accomplishing that goal.

For this one I will lean heavily on my background in mental health. First and foremost make a honest decision "Can you handle this client?" Meaning can you show up 100% to every session and assist them with the transformation they seek? If not decline the client. Now, you have accepted so be sure to space out sessions and create if you have not a pre-session routine. This will help set the tone for your session and calm any anxiety you may have. Don't overbook on this day. Also take into account how many of the high energy clients or sessions you have. Develop a limit on how many you take at a time. This is self-care anything over this limit is self sabotage. These times will come be prepared when they do.

Embrace boundaries by setting clear limits on your availability and the extent of your emotional involvement. Allocate specific times for coaching sessions and personal downtime, ensuring you have space to recharge. Communicate these boundaries to clients and colleagues to maintain a healthy balance and prevent burnout.

Dedicate time each day to reflect on your experiences and emotions after coaching sessions. Consider what went well and identify areas where you felt particularly drained. Journaling or meditative practices can help you process these emotions and gain insights. For instance, Maria, a life coach, made it a habit to spend 15 minutes each evening journaling about his day. This practice helped him recognize patterns of stress and allowed him to develop strategies for self-care. By reflecting daily, you can better understand your emotional needs and take proactive steps to maintain your well-being.

Reflection is important. It helps you to understand your priorities well in life. I can help you with exercises to reflect daily. Reach out to me.

It's important to set aside some time each day to think about your day. Writing in a journal or meditating on what happened can be really helpful, for taking care of yourself. It allows you to work through your feelings and let go of any negativity. This routine helps you see how you react emotionally and come up with ways to handle those feelings. Reflection isn't, about finding mistakes; it's also a chance to acknowledge and appreciate the things that happened during the day.

As someone who supports high-performing women entrepreneurs and leaders, I notice that if I'm starting to feel drained, I need to look for 1 - 3 energies that I might be bringing into the call: Pleasing, Proving, or Perfectionism. We're all human, and some days these old achievement patterns can sneak in. So, if I'm feeling off, I reflect on my thoughts and actions. Were they motivated from wanting to be liked? needing to prove my worth or value? or having to do things "right"? If so, I name it. Then give myself a whole lot of love and self-compassion. After that, I notice my energy returning and my outlook realigning! Serving from this place --what I call the "Golden Zone" never feels draining!

I used to underestimate the power of journaling for self-reflection. I thought, “What’s the point of writing down what happened during the day?” It felt like a pointless exercise. But then I realized it’s not about cataloging events; it’s about creating a space to explore what’s going on in your thoughts and emotions. You see, when we’re just thinking or feeling, we often don’t have the time or space to truly reflect on their meanings, even if we think we do. It was only when I started journaling that I experienced a clearer understanding of what’s happening in my mind. Now, my clients often have similar revelations when they try journaling for themselves.

When you love what you do, it can be tough to set boundaries and maintain a balanced self-care routine. But making sure to include self-care in your schedule is crucial for keeping everything in balance and preventing burnout.

Maintaining health is essential, for your overall well being. Making time, for exercise eating healthy and getting rest are self care habits that can assist you in managing the pressures of coaching sessions. Engaging in activities in particular can effectively reduce stress levels. Enhance your emotional state. Giving attention to these areas of your health not positively impacts you personally. Also enhances your vitality and concentration during coaching sessions.

Everyone recommends physical exercise as a remedy for depression or burnout, but when we’re feeling low, working out can be the last thing we want to do. So, what can we do? We can start small. Make it a personal objective to avoid something that feels daunting. Remember, the goal is not to force yourself into an intense exercise routine right away, but to find a gentle way to start caring for yourself.

Prioritize physical wellness to sustain your energy and resilience during emotionally draining coaching sessions. Incorporate regular exercise, maintain a balanced diet, and ensure adequate sleep. For example, Maria, a life coach, started taking short walks between sessions and found that this physical activity helped her clear her mind and boost her mood. Additionally, she focused on eating nutritious meals and establishing a consistent sleep schedule. By prioritizing physical wellness, you can enhance your overall health and better manage the emotional demands of your coaching work.

So here's my take. I'd been told that for many years but the only thing I really got was adequate sleep! I now, and you know, that all of these are helpful to your overall wellness. But, if you can't do them all, don't beat yourself up! Make small changes - change your breakfast for example, do 10 minutes of indoor walking/low impact exercise, do some stretching. Build a few minutes in between clients to move, shake things out. And, put away the electronics before bedtime. Shut them off. Allow yourself to really rest.

As a life coach you assist individuals. Its crucial to have your own circle of support. Cultivate connections, with friends, family or coworkers who comprehend the trials of coaching. They can provide insights, guidance or simply lend an ear when you seek solace following demanding sessions. A robust social circle plays a role, in sustaining your strength.

Don't forget to laugh with others ...and laugh often. Sometimes as professionals, we get bogged down in other people's pain and stress. That is our job in the moment, perhaps, if that is your therapeutic style, but then you have to set it free and get back to your core and find time to laugh. Laughing releases so many chemicals that we need to maintain healthy brains and hearts. Go watch a movie, have a friend over that gives you the giggles, read a funny book, or just watch a toddler or a pet for a few minutes. They will at least give you a smile.

What helps me is to have a network of colleagues to share experiences and get a different perspective on challenging coaching situations. Knowing when to reach out for support is an important skill for clients, and as a coach we need to apply the same for us.

Self care is foundational for growth, but also for self care. It helps keep us humble and curious as we acknowledge we don’t know everything or have all the answers. This can help boost output, reduce burnout, and increase personal satisfaction. Investing in professional development as self-care: Attend Workshops: Enhance skills and network with peers. Read Literature: Stay updated with the latest coaching theories and practices. Engage in Supervision: Gain insights and feedback from experienced coaches. Refresh Passion: Use new knowledge to invigorate your coaching approach. Continuous learning helps manage emotional drain and prevents burnout, keeping your practice vibrant and effective.

Engaging in learning and development is a way to take care of yourself professionally. Participating in workshops reading literature or seeking guidance, from peers not improves your coaching abilities but also offers new viewpoints that can reignite your enthusiasm. Continuous education introduces approaches to dealing with exhaustion and guards, against stagnation or burnout in your field.

Time in nature is the best self-care activity for me and helps me to disconnect after a long day with many coaching sessions.

It's important to make time, for hobbies and interests from coaching to take care of yourself. These activities offer a break from the demands of coaching allowing you to recharge in a different setting. Whether its art, music, hiking or any other activity that brings you happiness dedicating time to these interests helps ensure a balance, between work and personal life while keeping your mood lifted.

Prioritizing personal hobbies is essential for self-care when facing emotionally draining coaching sessions. Engaging in activities you love, such as painting, gardening, or playing a musical instrument, provides a necessary mental break and helps recharge your energy. For example, spending an hour in your garden after a tough session can help you decompress and refocus. Research indicates that hobbies reduce stress and improve overall well-being, making you more effective in your coaching role. It's important to schedule regular time for these activities to maintain balance. After all, even the best coaches need a time-out—think of it as your personal halftime show!