Why Seeing a Coach Should Be as Routine as Your Annual Physical

When was the last time you checked in on your cognitive and emotional health? Be honest. If the answer is “I’m not sure” or “I don’t really do that,” don’t worry—you’re not alone. Many of us are diligent about our physical health. We visit the gynecologist once a year, sit in the dentist’s chair twice annually, and have the optometrist tell us we should stop wearing last year’s contacts again. But when it comes to our emotional and mental well-being, we’re much more likely to wait until something feels broken.

This “wait-until-it’s-broken” mindset wouldn’t fly in other areas of our health. Imagine ignoring a strange, persistent pain in your chest. Would you shrug it off until it became unbearable, or would you get it checked out before it turns into something serious? Most of us would run—not walk—to a doctor. And yet, we don’t apply this same proactive care to our minds.

Enter the coach. A skilled coach is like your cognitive and emotional health equivalent of a primary care physician, dentist, or personal trainer. They’re there to help you keep everything running smoothly before you hit a wall. Let’s explore why working with a coach is the ultimate preventative strategy.

Why Prevention Matters

Think of coaching like flossing for your brain. Sure, you could skip it and hope for the best. But eventually, the “gunk” of unprocessed emotions, unexamined habits, and unchecked stress will build up. Without regular maintenance, you might find yourself facing burnout, relationship issues, or career stagnation. A coach helps you clean up that mental clutter regularly so it doesn’t snowball into a full-blown crisis.

The Heart Attack Analogy

Picture this: If you knew you had a 90% chance of preventing a heart attack by changing your diet, getting some exercise, and managing your stress levels, would you do it? Of course! The idea of waiting until you’re clutching your chest in an ER sounds ridiculous. Now, think about your cognitive and emotional health. Do you really want to wait until you’re overwhelmed by anxiety, paralyzed by indecision, or constantly snapping at loved ones to take action? Coaching gives you the tools to address issues before they spiral out of control.

What Does “Mental Maintenance” Look Like?

Working with a coach is about more than solving immediate problems. It’s about building habits, mindsets, and skills that support long-term well-being. A coach can help you:

• Develop better communication skills for your personal and professional relationships.
• Navigate career transitions or leadership challenges with confidence.
• Learn stress-management techniques that actually work.
• Uncover blind spots in your thinking that might be holding you back.

Making the Time

Sure, life gets busy. It’s tempting to put mental well-being on the back burner because “nothing’s wrong” or because we think we can handle it ourselves. But the truth is, just like we make time to check in with our physical health professionals, we need to prioritize regular check-ins with someone who can help us stay on top of our cognitive and emotional health.

So, what’s stopping you from making this part of your routine? If we can normalize biannual dental cleanings, let’s normalize regular sessions with a coach to ensure our brains and emotions are just as healthy as our pearly whites.

The Bottom Line

Our cognitive and emotional health deserves the same preventative care we give our physical health. Working with a coach is not about “fixing” something that’s broken; it’s about ensuring you have the tools, clarity, and resilience to thrive in all areas of life. So, take that first step. Just like scheduling a check-up or teeth cleaning, booking time with a coach is an investment in you. Because you’re worth it—every single time.

Ready to make cognitive and emotional well-being a priority? Let’s chat about how coaching can help you live your healthiest, happiest life.