Written by Toni Pakula © 2024
Navigating the complexities of raising a child is already filled with unique challenges. When you are raising a child who struggles with anxiety and other difficulties, the experience can be both exhilarating and inspiring as you support them through their unique needs. However, it can also be exhausting and overwhelming, especially when advocating for your child and educating others. As a parent, your ability to provide the best support for your child depends not only on understanding their needs but also on taking care of yourself. This is where health and nutrition coaching can make a profound difference.
As a parent of three highly sensitive children who have faced their own unique struggles, I understand burnout and self-neglect all too well. I know how these issues can impact family life and diminish our effectiveness as a parent, partner, and advocate for our kids.
Parenting, in itself, is incredibly demanding. When you add in the complexity of raising neurodivergent children, the challenges multiply. Finding support from others who truly understand can be rare, often leaving you feeling isolated and judged. Burnout becomes a frequent companion.
For me at the time finding external support and understanding was often hit and miss. I spent many nights and days researching solutions and therapeutic approaches to help my children with their emotional dysregulation and various challenges. Some days were so tough that simply getting out of bed began to feel like an ordeal. Especially on days when we had social commitments, sometimes it was difficult to muster the energy to encourage my children to go to social events because of their anxiety and selective mutism.
As parents, we tend to set aside our own needs while we focus on our children’s challenges. Even a solitary walk began to feel like a luxury. If we consistently shelve ourselves and repress down our own needs and health, this will lead to severe burnout, rendering us less effective and potentially even harming our ability to support anyone. Self-care is a priority, it isn’t selfish, it helps us respond better to situations rather than reacting, it supports our emotional regulation, its helps us critically think and problem solve, and to be present with our kids, offering them the love, compassion and the social engagement they need.
Honestly, at the time, I wish I had access to a Health and Nutrition coach who understood my situation—someone who could have guided me through daily challenges, helped me prioritise self-care, and shown me that looking after myself wasn’t selfish but essential for providing the best support to my children. Back then, I didn't know what a health coach could offer.
Health and wellbeing coaching is evidence based preventative care and is gaining significant respect and popularity in the health field. It leverages positive psychology, placing you firmly in control of your goals and therapy, which helps you reclaim your sense of empowerment. Health and Nutrition Coaching supports self-care, gives you a listening ear, and equips you with the strength and tools needed to stay grounded, especially when you’re caring for family members or dealing with emotional, mental, or physical challenges. It’s not a luxury, it’s a necessity
As a Registered Health and Nutrition Coach and Mental Health Coach, who is trauma informed and has lived experience, I can help support your nervous system, teach you self-regulation to better co-regulate with your children, support you to establish healthy boundaries for yourself and others, and rekindle your excitement for present and future—all of which would ultimately benefit you and your family and friends.
So let me share more about the power of health and nutrition coaching and why it might be the support you need.
Health Coaching and Nutritional Support: A Path to Enhanced Energy
One of the cornerstones of effective health coaching is the concept of creating habits and setting goals that are realistic, manageable, and lead to positive change. Habit stacking is one technique a health coach may use to layer new, beneficial habits onto your existing routines, creating a seamless integration of positive changes into your daily life. For busy parents, this approach can be a game-changer, helping to weave nutritious practices and time for self-care, reflection, and mindfulness into your schedules.
Making Goals and Finding Your Why
Health coaching can help you make lasting changes, by supporting you to set clear, actionable goals. An experienced Health Coach will help you find your “why”—the deeper reason behind your desire to improve your health and well-being. They will also help you understand how your motivations helps anchor your efforts, making it easier to stay committed. Is your desire to have more energy for your children, to improve your own health, or to set a positive example for your family? When you connect with your personal values and intrinsic motivations, you’ll find that sustaining these habits becomes more natural and fulfilling.
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Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Motivation
While extrinsic motivation, such as rewards or praise, can be a powerful driver, intrinsic motivation—finding satisfaction and purpose in the activity itself—is often more sustainable. Focusing on internal rewards, like feeling more energetic and healthier, helps create a deeper connection to your goals. This shift in mindset can be transformative, turning routine tasks into meaningful activities that resonate with your core values.
The Power of Mindset
A positive mindset plays a pivotal role in achieving your health goals. Embracing a growth mindset allows you to view challenges as opportunities for learning and improvement. This perspective not only helps you overcome obstacles but also keeps you motivated even when progress seems slow. Remember, every small step counts, and celebrating these incremental successes can fuel your ongoing commitment.
Health Coaching & Nutrition: An Epic Combination
When it comes to health coaching, integrating nutritional support into your sessions is crucial for nourishing both body and mind. This holistic approach supports you in achieving your goals while enhancing clarity, mood, and sleep. For instance, incorporating a quick, protein-rich breakfast into your morning routine can be incredibly beneficial. Protein plays a vital role in maintaining sustained energy levels throughout the day and helps stabilise blood sugar levels, thereby reducing the likelihood of the mid-afternoon slump that many experience. By supporting cognitive function and stabilising energy, a balanced intake of protein and other nutrients enhances mental clarity and aids in managing stress more effectively—an essential consideration, especially when navigating the demands of parenting, particularly if your child has special needs.
Putting It All Together
Combining health coaching with a focus on nutritional support creates a powerful synergy for enhancing your energy and overall well-being. By setting clear goals, aligning with your intrinsic motivations, and fostering a positive mindset, you can create a robust framework for lasting health improvements. Health and Nutrition Coaching allows you to integrate these changes smoothly, making the process both manageable and sustainable while you are supported.
Health and Nutrition Coaching vs. Counselling: A Preventative Approach
While counselling and health coaching both aim to support individuals, their approaches and objectives can differ significantly. Counselling often focuses on addressing past issues, emotional trauma, and mental health concerns through therapeutic conversations. In contrast, health and nutrition coaching is more proactive and preventive, emphasising the creation of healthier habits and lifestyle changes that foster overall well-being.
Health and Nutrition coaching can be a vital preventative tool. A Trauma-Informed Health and Nutrition Coach can equip parents with strategies to maintain a balanced nervous system, which is essential for effective co-regulation with their children. For instance, integrating stress-reducing habits and balanced nutrition into daily routines helps build resilience and emotional stability, enabling parents to better support their children’s emotional and behavioural needs.
Balancing the Nervous System: Co-Regulation and Emotional Stability
A balanced nervous system is crucial for co-regulation, especially when supporting children who struggle with emotional dysregulation. When a parent’s nervous system is well-regulated, they are better equipped to model calm behaviour and offer the emotional stability their children need. Health and Nutrition Coaching can provide techniques to maintain this balance, such as mindfulness practices, balanced nutrition, and adequate sleep.
For parents advocating for children with emotional or behavioural challenges, the stress of constant advocacy without adequate support can lead to heightened anxiety and burnout. This is where the role of a health coach becomes pivotal. A coach provides a neutral space to discuss concerns, helping parents gain perspective and build resilience.
The Power of Support: A Safe Space for Parents
Advocating for a child with mental health challenges often involves navigating complex systems and dealing with emotional ups and downs. Having someone to talk to—who understands these struggles first-hand—can be incredibly empowering. As a holistic integrated practitioner who has raised children with mental health challenges, I bring personal insight into the difficulties you may face. This shared understanding fosters a supportive environment where you can explore solutions and develop strategies for self-care.
Building Resilience Through Daily Good Intentions
Regular check-ins with a health coach can help reshape your perspective and reinforce daily good intentions. This practice builds inner resilience, which is essential for maintaining calm and balance in your life. By focusing on small, achievable goals and celebrating progress, you can cultivate a sense of accomplishment and control that translates into better support for your child.
The Safe and Sound Protocol: Enhancing Nervous System Regulation
In my sessions, I can include the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP), an evidence-based, non-invasive sound therapy designed to enhance nervous system regulation. The Safe and Sound Protocol works by reshaping and strengthening neuronal pathways through the branches in the ear, helping to retune the nervous system. This therapy aids in maintaining a regulated state, which is crucial for making thoughtful decisions, thinking critically, and remaining calm under stress.
By integrating the SSP into your routine, you can improve your ability to respond rather than react to stressful situations, ultimately benefiting both you and your child. This holistic approach not only supports your mental and emotional well-being but also equips you with the tools needed to advocate effectively and provide the best support for your child.
In Conclusion
Health and Nutrition coaching offers invaluable support for parents navigating the challenges of raising children with emotional and behavioural difficulties. Through listening, nutritional support, and a focus on balancing the nervous system, health coaching helps build resilience and emotional stability. With additional tools like the Safe and Sound Protocol, parents can enhance their ability to remain calm and effective in their roles. By investing in your own well-being and seeking the support of a coach who understands your unique struggles, you can create a more balanced, supportive environment for both yourself and your child.
If you would like to work with me, book a free 20-minute session at a time and day that is convenient for you. Let’s begin the conversation on how I can tailor support specifically to your needs.
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