Before I met (virtually) Talia, I didn’t know there was such a thing as a sleep coach. What a perfect idea! Sleep problems are part and parcel of the menopause transition for most women. Reclaiming our sleep can be a lifesaver. Read on for Part Ii of her informative guest blog. Enjoy.
PART II – WORKING WITH A SLEEP COACH TO OVERCOME SLEEP CHALLENGES DURING MENOPAUSE
When people experience sleep challenges, it’s often due to stress, disruptive behavior or lifestyle habits that have been ingrained over a long period of time and then people get stuck in these negative sleep spirals. It may also be due to medical issues or nutritional or hormonal imbalances. Often it’s a combination of things.
While the sleep challenges that occur during menopause may be linked to hormonal changes, it’s also possible they’re brought on by other life stresses or conditions that happen to occur around these years, such as empty nesting, dealing with aging aches and pains or career transitions, or developing other habits that are unhelpful for sleep.
So it’s not always clear-cut what’s causing sleep disturbances but we do know that this particular period in women’s lives can bring about a lot of change so it’s important to view sleep issues from a top-down, holistic perspective. As sleep (or lack thereof!) significantly impacts both our physical health and mental well-being, it’s imperative to identify and address the root causes of a person’s sleep challenges as opposed to treating individual symptoms as this will determine how successful your solutions will be.
And that’s where the value of a sleep coach comes in.
WHAT DOES A SLEEP COACH DO?
People come to me with issues falling asleep, staying asleep, having refreshed sleep, feeling tired during the day as well as any other sleep-related problems.
I help my clients understand how their sleep patterns, behaviors, lifestyle choices and other conditions may be impacting their sleep and then I work with them to apply evidence-based solutions that are simple, specific, achievable and most importantly, long-lasting.
MY PROCESS
I start by conducting a comprehensive assessment and investigation of your issues that examines the 5 pillars that encompass healthy sleep:
Environment
Schedules
Headspace
Nutrition
Movement
I also discuss any medical issues or medication you may be taking. From there, I identify the imbalances that may be impacting your quality of sleep and work with you to develop a sleep optimization plan – we set targets that are practical, manageable, personalized, and that over time, will be the anchors that facilitate long-term, healthy sleep. Throughout the process and each time we meet, I will provide you with sleep education, resources, strategies, and supportive accountability to help you achieve your sleep goals. And most of the changes that my clients are making are small, incremental ones that are going to have a compounding positive effect on their sleep and well-being.
MY APPROACH TO SLEEP COACHING
There is so much information out there about better sleep, but it can often be overwhelming and difficult to start implementing change. That’s where a coach makes a difference. As a sleep coach, I’m able to meet you where you are and encourage lifestyle changes in a way that feels good. I motivate you to adapt and transform unhelpful habits into healthy choices where you can see progress and WANT to stay on your new chosen path.
I am looking at the whole picture of you, and not just your nights. In order to do this my approach is:
Respectful
Collaborative
Supportive
Accountable
Motivational
Compassionate
Empathetic
Because I have been there! As a former insomniac who thought never in a million years I would get my sleep back, I understand how you feel.
If you’re struggling to sleep soundly it’s important to know that help is out there.
I’m currently offering a couple of different sleep coaching and consulting packages and if you’re interested in learning more about how I can help you, drop me a line (Email: [email protected]) or book a free 20-minute discovery call to find out more about my services and how you can restore your sleep to restore yourself.
Contact details:
www.taliashapero.com
Email: [email protected]
IG: @taliashaperosleep
FB: @taliashaperosleep
