How can you nourish your own wellbeing as a life coach?

Why Your Wellbeing Matters

Life coaches often pour energy into supporting clients, but it’s vital to keep your own wellbeing a top priority. As Rasheed Ogunlaru says:

“Your well-being must never become an afterthought. It must be your first act.”

In challenging times, many clients face stress, long-term health conditions, or life strains. As a coach, being grounded in your own wellbeing helps you serve clients more effectively and sustainably.

Building a Wellbeing Routine as a Life Coach

Coaching is rewarding but demanding, especially if it’s your business. Protecting your health starts with simple, intentional habits:

1. Create a wellbeing routine: get quality sleep, exercise regularly, and eat a balanced diet.
2. Recognize stress signals: notice when you’re tired or overwhelmed and step back when needed.
3. Coach yourself: apply the same tools and principles you share with clients.
4. Pace your workload: know your limits and set realistic client/session numbers.
5. Nurture a support network: surround yourself with peers, friends, and family.
6. Keep firm boundaries: protect your time, energy, and professional space.
7. Have other outlets: hobbies and interests outside coaching help restore balance.

Mindful Presence: Coaching Beyond Words

Supporting clients also means being mindful of their wellbeing and gently guiding them when needed:

1. Be fully present: listen not just to words, but tone, energy, and silence.
2. Notice signs of struggle: missed goals, fatigue, apologizing, or low energy.
3. Adjust coaching pace: slow down, check in on wellness, reprioritize goals, or dedicate sessions to self-care.
4. Ask wellbeing questions: explore their routines, support systems, and resources they may need.
5. Hold space when needed:  sometimes listening and allowing clients to open up is more valuable than pursuing goals.
6. Respect cultural and personal context: values, beliefs, background, and identity shape how wellbeing is experienced.
7. Know when to signpost: some clients may need specialist support such as doctors, counsellors, or helplines.

Continual Growth

Every client interaction is also a learning opportunity. By staying mindful of wellbeing; both your own and your clients’ you grow as a coach and model the balance you encourage others to find.

Key takeaway: As a life coach, your energy and presence are your greatest tools. Guarding your wellbeing is not selfish; it’s essential for you, your clients, and your coaching practice.

About Author: 

Rasheed Ogunlaru is a leading life coach, motivational speaker and a former Co-Director of Samaritans (Central London Branch). He is also an associate trainer for The Coaching Academy and leads a number of our online live training events, our upcoming coach training events can be found on our online coach training events calendar page.