How mbg's Health Coaching Program Has Made Me A Better Communicator

I've worked in marketing almost my entire professional career, yet I spend my spare time listening to health podcasts, reading books on the body and mind, cooking nourishing meals, and moving my body in ways that make me feel good (including my favorite—walking my dogs!). It wasn't until late last year that I realized maybe my passions were telling me something.

Fast-forward almost a year, and I am currently more than halfway through the mindbodygreen Health Coaching Certification (HCC) program, and I couldn't be happier with my decision to pursue this path that aligns with my values.

What's been so eye-opening about this journey is not only am I learning how to become the best coach I can be; I'm learning how to become the best person I can be. Whether it's how to make people feel heard, deepening my mindfulness practices, or finding one's true motivators, it's been useful to learn many things that will benefit my professional career and personal life.

In health coaching, the client is in the driver's seat, and the coach is in the passenger's seat. There are many paths to get where they want to go, and we help them get there—but we're not leading the way. This was a difficult mindset shift to make at first. But after practicing this type of coaching in my program and with my own clients, I've seen how truly magical these techniques are in action.

Because this information is too good not to share, here are three principles from health coaching that you can practice in your own relationships. I hope you'll find this as impactful as I have:

Don't let the name throw you off, as this is especially valuable for romantic partnerships (or any relationship, really!). Using four basic components, you can communicate more effectively and empathetically while ensuring sure each person's needs are met. NVC is comprised of:

To put this into perspective, instead of saying, "You left the dishes in the sink—you're so messy!" you could use NVC to say, "When dishes are left in the sink, I feel overwhelmed and anxious because I value organization as it keeps my mind at ease. Would you be willing to share the responsibilities of cleaning the dishes?"

This one is much easier said than done these days, with all of the distractions we face. However, when you use techniques like reflective statements (restating what someone said or how they're feeling) and asking open-ended questions (sparking curiosity in what they have to say, without judgment), the person talking to you will not just feel like you're listening but that they're being heard.

I've learned through HCC that there are three "wisdom centers" in the body, with accompanying questions you can ask each:

Notice where you feel these sensations during your conversation and where they may show up in the other person. Practicing mindfulness in this way gives you an opportunity to understand yourself and others on a whole new level.

Learn more about the program and how to enroll here.