Are Life Coaches Necessary?

Life Coaching in the UK has become evermore popular over the last twenty years and one has to ask oneself; “why?” Consider this; “Each year in this country there are over half a million instances where work-related stress results in people being absent from work, costing UK employers an estimated £3.7 billion…… work-related stress is now the biggest cause of working days lost through occupational injury and ill health. (Source – HSE guide ‘Tackling work-related stress’) A non-binding agreement on work-related stress has been reached at European level … as part of the Social Dialogue process… and is supported by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). In summary, the aims of the voluntary agreement are to; increase the awareness and understanding of employers, workers and their representatives of work-related stress, and draw their attention to signs that could indicate problems of work-related stress.

But what if the root cause of the stress is not the working environment? Should the employer be held responsible if the employee simply can’t hack it! And let’s face it, for most people stress is necessary for normal functioning. How often do you hear people say they enjoy the buzz?

The most common forms of stress related illnesses are; cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks and high blood pressure resulting from hypertension, obesity, migraine & severe tension headaches, insomnia, anxiety, arthritis, diabetes, ulcers, asthma, chronic stress problems such as sleep disorders increased fatigue, weight loss, extreme sweating, anxiety problems, tension and pain in the muscle, severe depression, back problems, eye problems, travel sickness, immune system diseases. Quite an impressive array of symptoms, wouldn’t you say?

I would argue that often stress in the workplace simply compounds personal stress. A breakdown in a personal relationship, divorce, financial difficulties, poor time management, alcohol abuse, drug abuse, low self esteem, ineffective communication skills and identity issues are just some of the personal issues that lead to stress. As you can see these are not work-related issues, they are personal issues. However, work related or not, the individual will ultimately bring this stress into the work place. But, would the individual concerned want to discuss deeply personal issues with the head of HR? In most instances I think not. So just who do they talk to?

There are lots of help lines and counselling services but many of them have one fundamental thing in common. The individual has to be at rock bottom.

As I see it Life Coaching is a possible solution to bridging the gap between, for example, “I’m fed up with my life” and “I think I might be clinically depressed”. Life Coaching has no stigma attached to it and you don’t have to sit on a waiting list for months on end. What’s wrong with helping people to help themselves before they go completely bonkers! Life Coaches have recently received some negative criticism since, at present, there is no regulation governing the Life Coaching industry. Speaking as a Life Coach with ethics, bring it on! Regulate the industry and provide a legitimised avenue for people to help themselves to a happier and more fulfilled life. The “knock on” effects are potentially profound. Reducing absenteeism will increase profitability in industry and commerce, and a reduction in ill health will put less of a strain on the NHS.

How can that be a bad thing?

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