What is a Sleep Coach?
Hi, I’m Talia. I’m an integrative adult sleep coach.
I know what you’re thinking. A SLEEP coach? Like… you’re going to stand by my bed whispering instructions to me until I fall asleep? Not quite. The field of sleep research is relatively new, and the field of sleep coaching is even newer. So, what exactly is a sleep coach and how can one help you?
When you think of the term ‘coach’ you probably picture someone from your childhood or a fitness trainer at the gym. As exercise and diet make up two out of three fundamental pillars of health, it makes sense that people devote their time and hard-earned money to optimize these. But what about the newly recognized third pillar, sleep?
Did you know that doctors only receive 2-4 hours of sleep education in medical school? There’s a shortage of those who understand how important sleep is to our health and well-being, and how to support it in a specialized and individualized way.
That’s where I come in. If you’re suffering from issues falling asleep, staying asleep, feeling exhausted during your day, and/or other sleep-related issues, a sleep coach will help you find long-term and balanced solutions to your sleep challenges. I have been specifically trained in optimizing sleep and it’s my mission to help my clients achieve their sleep goals and in turn improve their lives. Because sleep isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity.
What can a Sleep Coach do for you?
As a sleep coach, I will help you understand the how and why of your sleep challenges and support you along your journey to better sleep. I do this through:
Identifying root causes of your sleep challenges
Educating you on sleep specific to your situation
Creating a specific and targeted action plan
Implementing manageable, impactful changes
Supporting the development of better habits
Providing access to sleep resources
Taking a balanced, holistic approach
Despite what some people think, sleep is actually a natural function of the human body and the majority of us are fundamentally designed to sleep well. When people experience sleep challenges, it’s often due to stress, disruptive behaviour, or lifestyle habits that have been ingrained over time. It may also be due to medical issues or nutritional or hormonal imbalances. Usually, it’s a little bit of everything.
So, while a fitness coach will help enhance your physical wellness and a nutrition coach will improve your nutritional intake, a sleep coach will optimize your ability to sleep and feel rested, which will, in turn, help you be your best self. Because sleep is necessary to function properly; there is not one physical or mental process in our body which is not benefitted or enhanced by it.
Uncovering the root causes of bad sleep
While you may be aware of some of the influencing factors on your sleep, such as screens, caffeine, and stress, I dive deep into the root causes of your sleep challenges through a comprehensive assessment that examines the 5 pillars that encompass healthy sleep: environment, schedule, headspace, nutrition, and movement. Together, we identify the imbalances that are impacting your quality of sleep and put together a plan to get your sleep on-track for lifelong improvement.
Before I begin coaching, I examine your sleep patterns, schedules, work/life balance, environment, light exposure, mental health, nutrition, physical activity and stress and anxiety levels to shine a light on some contributing factors that you may not even be aware of. From there, we’ll develop an action plan and set targets that are practical, manageable, individualized, and that over time, will be the anchors that facilitate lifelong, healthy sleep.
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. Most of us are already able to identify a laundry list of unhealthy sleep habits we follow but can’t seem to avoid them. But it’s not your fault – 95% of our thinking is unconscious and that includes our habits and behaviours! As a sleep coach I’m able to meet you where you are and encourage lifestyle changes in a way that feels good. From there, I motivate you to adapt and transform unconscious 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. The struggle is real, but there is help out there.
What a Sleep Coach is NOT
I am not a medical professional. While I may know (almost!) all things sleep, sleep coaches cannot examine, prescribe medications or formally diagnose a client with a sleep or other medical disorder. However, sleep coaches are trained to look for signs and symptoms of other medical conditions that may be related to your sleep difficulties and know when to refer you to other practitioners. And we can certainly work alongside other health care practitioners if they suspect something more is impacting your sleep. I truly believe that the field of sleep coaching is growing because we offer a level of support that you usually don’t find in traditional sleep medicine.
There is support for better quality sleep
If you’re struggling to sleep soundly it’s important to know that help is out there. A Sleep Coach can provide the support and resources you need by:
Taking a holistic approach to understand the root cause of your sleep challenges
Working closely with you to develop a plan to optimize your sleep, one that addresses lifestyle and behaviour choices that may be negatively impacting your sleep
Providing education, resources, strategies, and supportive accountability to help you achieve your sleep goals
Drop me a line 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.
