Here's an excerpt of my recent appearance on Coach World TV to discuss the benefits of our Beach Ready Intro Coaching Package. Watch as I share with show host Deborah Avery tips on how to "release your should's" so you can enjoy guilt-free summer eating!
There's still time to get beach ready now -- our coaching team can help you stick to a healthy eating plan (even at BBQ's), a consistent fitness plan (even in small living spaces), and reduce summer allergies in a healthy, holistic way! Share your comments about the video or questions about the coaching program here, or tweet me: @Coach_Colette.
Showing posts with label reduce. Show all posts
Showing posts with label reduce. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 09, 2011
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
Stress in the City: Is Cuddling the Answer?
Forbes recently released its report on America's Most Stressful Cities. Topping the list for the second year in a row is Chicago -- followed by Los Angeles, New York, Cleveland, and Providence, RI.
Life factors considered in the study of 40 of America's largest metro areas were:
Life factors considered in the study of 40 of America's largest metro areas were:
- Unemployment figures (Bureau of Labor Statistics - June 2009)
- Cost of living figures (Council for Community and Economic Research)
- Median home price declines (National Association of Realtors - 2008-2009)
- Population density (US Census)
- Number of sunny and/or partly sunny days (NES-DIS - 2007)
- Air quality figures (US EPA - 2007)
As a native New Yorker, I can appreciate our ranking in the Top 5 of metro areas. However, you know that I'm a big proponent of finding creative, proactive ways to manage your stress. A lot of this has to do with your self-perception and self-talk.
Most of the life factors on the list are not things we can actively control -- EXCEPT that we do have a choice about where we live. In today's tight job market, you may challenge me on that a bit. "I HAVE to live here because of my job." But, remember, once you start to view your situation in terms of what you "HAVE" to do, you've already given yourself an extra burden of stress. The choice still exists; hopefully you're able to choose your best option at the particular moment in time.
From the career/job search perspective, I've written before about the value of focusing on the things you can control - your physical and online career presence, and your marketing collateral.
From the personal wellness perspective, I've written about the importance of flipping the script to create a more positive viewpoint. That may mean changing how you think about your situation, letting go of the "SHOULDs", or allowing space for things to be less than perfect. [I know, the horror!]
Social supports are important, too. One interesting link in the article was to a video about a new trend of hosting Cuddle Parties. Apparently taking heed of the value of physical touch in reducing stress, these parties have been held in the New York and San Francisco areas.
Would you attend (have you attended) a Cuddle Party? Comment here or tweet me your response and to share other ways you deal with stress.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
NEW Podcast on Stress & Eating Habits
Hello and Happy (belated) Mother's Day to all of the moms out there! I had a great dinner with my mom and dad on Sunday evening here in NYC (Primehouse New York).
This post is to let you know of a new podcast I've recently uploaded to the Competent Advantage TM podcast channel about Stress & Eating Habits. It’s my conversation with Frances Cheung, a board-certified holistic health counselor. In addition to her private coaching practice, she is also a nutrition counselor at Wat, a premier Thai boxing gym in New York.
Frances and I shared insights on how you can break the unhealthy connection between stress and food. For the most part, I'm a pretty healthy eater (vegetarian who eats fish). Occasionally, though, I do have cravings -- usually for crunchy/salty snacks, but once in a while for chocolate [which made the Hershey trip a bit of a challenge with such easy access to chocolate 24 x 7]. I finally "released my shoulds" and gave myself permission while there to sample without feeling guilty. It made the experience more enjoyable -- so that I didn't freak out every time I ate a mini-Peppermint Patty (that was the "assigned" candy for my training room). And, I didn't over-indulge either.
In the podcast, we focus on healthy eating habits -- e.g., I learned from Frances about the potential downside of eating while standing up -- and offer tips to reduce stress even amidst our hectic lifestyles. Hope you enjoy -- and let me know what you think after you listen.
This post is to let you know of a new podcast I've recently uploaded to the Competent Advantage TM podcast channel about Stress & Eating Habits. It’s my conversation with Frances Cheung, a board-certified holistic health counselor. In addition to her private coaching practice, she is also a nutrition counselor at Wat, a premier Thai boxing gym in New York.
Frances and I shared insights on how you can break the unhealthy connection between stress and food. For the most part, I'm a pretty healthy eater (vegetarian who eats fish). Occasionally, though, I do have cravings -- usually for crunchy/salty snacks, but once in a while for chocolate [which made the Hershey trip a bit of a challenge with such easy access to chocolate 24 x 7]. I finally "released my shoulds" and gave myself permission while there to sample without feeling guilty. It made the experience more enjoyable -- so that I didn't freak out every time I ate a mini-Peppermint Patty (that was the "assigned" candy for my training room). And, I didn't over-indulge either.
In the podcast, we focus on healthy eating habits -- e.g., I learned from Frances about the potential downside of eating while standing up -- and offer tips to reduce stress even amidst our hectic lifestyles. Hope you enjoy -- and let me know what you think after you listen.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Why I'm Not a "Cookie-Cutter" Coach
I recently met someone who asked me to share my Top 5 tips for reducing stress. (I'd already told the person that I am a Career & Stress Management coach; so, it wasn't actually that far-fetched). However, he became a bit miffed when I paused to think. Perhaps too many nights watching Dave Letterman's Top 10 Lists?
"Why can't you just come up with five "simple" tips?"
When I suggested that it wasn't that easy, my new acquaintance decided to describe a person-in-need to "help" me respond: "The person works 60-hours per week, has two kids at home, and is stressed by the competing work-life demands." OK, now we're getting somewhere!
I paused and asked: Is the person a man or a woman? "He is a man." As I was about to ask my next question (Does he own the business or does he work for someone else?), my friend lost it. "How hard can this be? I know the answers. For ME, it would be ..." That's when I realized -- I'm not a cookie-cutter coach!
Could I have shared five generic stress reduction tips? Absolutely! However, I attempted to ask questions so that I could learn more about the "person" and be able to share ideas that would be relevant and helpful. That's how I approach all aspects of my work, whether it's consulting, training or coaching. I ask questions to learn about my client's needs -- to get into their world -- so that I can provide informed feedback or resources.
We are all unique and, therefore, we experience stress in different ways. Responses to work-life demands vary between men and women. The work-life challenges of business owners are typically different than those of employees. It's with this knowledge that I resist providing cookie-cutter responses!
OK, I get it (I'm a New Yorker). You're still waiting for my Top 5 tips. I can share what often works for me:
"Why can't you just come up with five "simple" tips?"
When I suggested that it wasn't that easy, my new acquaintance decided to describe a person-in-need to "help" me respond: "The person works 60-hours per week, has two kids at home, and is stressed by the competing work-life demands." OK, now we're getting somewhere!
I paused and asked: Is the person a man or a woman? "He is a man." As I was about to ask my next question (Does he own the business or does he work for someone else?), my friend lost it. "How hard can this be? I know the answers. For ME, it would be ..." That's when I realized -- I'm not a cookie-cutter coach!
Could I have shared five generic stress reduction tips? Absolutely! However, I attempted to ask questions so that I could learn more about the "person" and be able to share ideas that would be relevant and helpful. That's how I approach all aspects of my work, whether it's consulting, training or coaching. I ask questions to learn about my client's needs -- to get into their world -- so that I can provide informed feedback or resources.
We are all unique and, therefore, we experience stress in different ways. Responses to work-life demands vary between men and women. The work-life challenges of business owners are typically different than those of employees. It's with this knowledge that I resist providing cookie-cutter responses!
OK, I get it (I'm a New Yorker). You're still waiting for my Top 5 tips. I can share what often works for me:
- Listening to music
- Talking to someone from my "right people, right energy" team
- Changing my setting/perspective
- Aromatherapy candles
- Positive self-talk
What works for you? :)
Friday, June 29, 2007
Can You Really Unplug?
With today's much-anticipated release of the iPhone, I’m left to wonder: do we really need another communication device that helps us talk while we surf the Internet, listen to music, email our boss, and download the latest crazy video from YouTube? You all know I’m the queen of multi-tasking; but have we gone a bit over the top?
It’s so easy to get information and stay connected these days. As an entrepreneur, I recognize how important it is to stay in touch – with clients, colleagues, as well as friends and family. As a stress management coach, however, I often wonder how our wireless tools truly impact our ability to manage and reduce our stress. Do we really need to be reachable anytime, anywhere?
How often do you spend during the day without any communication devices? Could you make it through one day device-free? I’m talking about no phone, no mP3 player, no laptop, no TV, no PDA, no computer. Maybe it’s not a practical suggestion; but I invite you to take me up on my challenge for as long as you could stand it.
What would you do with all that silence? How about quieting your mind? It’s a quick stress-reducing exercise. Want to learn how? When you can, find a quiet space and then:
It’s so easy to get information and stay connected these days. As an entrepreneur, I recognize how important it is to stay in touch – with clients, colleagues, as well as friends and family. As a stress management coach, however, I often wonder how our wireless tools truly impact our ability to manage and reduce our stress. Do we really need to be reachable anytime, anywhere?
How often do you spend during the day without any communication devices? Could you make it through one day device-free? I’m talking about no phone, no mP3 player, no laptop, no TV, no PDA, no computer. Maybe it’s not a practical suggestion; but I invite you to take me up on my challenge for as long as you could stand it.
What would you do with all that silence? How about quieting your mind? It’s a quick stress-reducing exercise. Want to learn how? When you can, find a quiet space and then:
- Close your eyes and slowly relax your limbs to let go of the tension in your muscles.
- Slowly breathe in and out to the count of four.
- As you breathe slowly and relax your limbs, focus on a word such as calm, sky, ocean or peace.
- Concentrate your mental energy on your word as you continue deep breathing. If other thoughts come to mind, let them pass through. Refocus on your word and continue to breathe and relax.
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