Creative Wellness

When was the last time you talked with someone about your health and received the personal attention you deserve?

I know you’re bombarded with news reports about the latest research studies, the best diets, and the ideal way to live. The trouble is: You don’t know how to customize all that information to suit your very individual needs.

That’s where I come in. I have 25 years of experience working with medical experts and I’ve studied all of the major dietary, health, and mind-body theories so I can help you home in on the evidence-based strategies that will work best for you.

No one approach works for everyone.

As a Health Coach and Patient Navigator, I create a supportive environment so you can make gradual, lifelong changes that enable you to reach your current and future health goals, whether you want to reduce stress, lose weight, eat more healthfully, gain energy, or become more mindful of your life.

My personal take on health coaching involves creativity, because that’s a big interest of mine. I’m a writer, a quilter, a collager, and a mixed-media artist. I’ve tried pretty much every artform you can name! I’m also the author of the book Craft to Heal: Soothing Your Soul with Sewing, Painting and Other Pastimes, which explores the mental, physical and spiritual benefits of pursuing a craft or hobby you love. As a result, I incorporate fun, creative exercises into my coaching program.

My motto is “Be creative, be well!” and I coach my clients—whether it’s in person or via phone, individually or in groups—to create a happy, healthy life in a way that is flexible, fun, and creative.

Could one conversation change your life? Schedule a free initial consultation with me today!

Testimonials from Clients and Students

Many thanks to you for putting so much time and effort into the journey. I really got a lot out of it and enjoyed getting to know you! I feel like a more motivated, educated and mindful person. It was a great experience! Liz

The health coaching sessions with Nancy have made me more mindful of what I eat. I never thought about that before. Now I think about what I’m eating before I eat it. I may eat it anyway, but even knowing that it’s not the best choice, but I making that choice mindfully. I’m down from a size 12 to a size 10. I’m sleeping better and feeling better, too. Doris

Nancy is an exceptional health coach. I live in Staten Island and I’ve been so stressed out after Hurricane Sandy and I’ve been out of control with my eating. During my session with Nancy, she taught me a breathing exercise that immediately helps me to slow down and feel better. She really knows her stuff! Connie

Thank you for teaching our quilting group how to collage. What an incredible time we had – thank you, thank you, thank you! You inspired us and lead us in a supportive playful environment. You enabled us to intuitively make wonderful art and we are all amazed at our pieces! We learned so many new techniques! We used mixed paper, tissue, paints, colored pencils, and beads with our fabric stash. Wow! Paulette

I came to class with a problem weighing heavily on my mind. As I was choosing my pictures, text, fabrics, paint colors, beads, etc… my mind must have been mulling over my problem. Without realizing it, my collage reflected my turmoil around this issue and released my emotions. By the time I completed my piece, the path that I needed to follow became clear. This art class helped me process a problem and I am now confident in the decision I must make to move forward. Ann

You taught me a new art form and I love it! I can’t wait to do more collaging and experimenting! You gave me the courage to experiment with supplies that I bought years ago, but they sat on the shelf because I was too timid to try them. Thank you for creating a safe inspiring place for us to play! Judy

What Is a Health Coach Anyway?

Life coaches, career coaches, sports coaches, and creativity coaches. You’ve likely heard of them, but what about the latest entry to the coaching ranks: health coaches? These trained counselors are about 20,000 strong, and, thanks to an increasing demand for their services, the numbers are growing daily.

Why the burgeoning interest? Because lifestyle changes, healthy eating, regular exercise, and a good attitude can go a long way to counteracting the effects of aging on the body and mind. The trouble is, although you may know what you should be doing to improve your health, you may not be doing it. Health coaches can close the gap, offering the motivation, accountability, and information you need to actually change your behavior – and ultimately your health – for the better. They support you with the step-by-step tools you need to create permanent changes for your health and well-being. They can help you get on the right track with your personal health goals, whether that’s to reduce stress, lose weight, exercise more, eat more whole grains, or reduce your risk of chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.

Research confirms the unique benefits of health coaching in reducing weight, improving people’s adherence to medical treatments, and lowering healthcare costs—all with the goal of enhancing productivity and satisfaction in the workplace. Several studies conducted at Duke University have shown that coaching helps people with diabetes take their medications on schedule, eat healthier, and exercise regularly, which, by association, reduces their risk of stroke. Likewise, a very large study of 175,000 people who received telephone coaching by Health Dialogs, a firm located in Massachusetts, found that people with chronic diseases were hospitalized less often and incurred fewer medical and drug costs after a coaching intervention.

Health coaching works. Contact me if you’re ready to start putting your health goals into action.

About Creative Wellness

Nancy Monson of Creative Wellness is a certified health and creativity coach who supports her clients to discover their healthier selves through personalized eating and exercise habits – by making simple changes in their lives that they can sustain forever.

Nancy is also an award-winning freelance writer, blogger, and editor. She specializes in composing patient education materials for both print and web formats. She has worked with a variety of medical communications companies on projects in a diverse range of topics from women’s health to endocrinology, neurology, psychiatry, rheumatology and other topics. She has a special interest in nutrition and weight management.

In addition to writing and editing custom publications for patients such as MS Perspectives, her articles have been published in over 30 national magazines and newsletters, including Family Circle, Glamour, More, Reader’s Digest, Redbook, Shape, Vivmag.com, Weight Watchers Magazine, and Woman’s Day.

Nancy is the author of three consumer books: Creative Wellness, an ebook; Craft to Heal: Soothing Your Soul with Sewing, Painting, and Other Crafts; and The Smart Guide to Boosting Your Energy. She is a co-author of an e-book called Just What the Doctor Ordered: The Insider’s Guide to Medical Writing).

Nancy is a member of the Society for the Arts in Health Care, the International Association of Health Coaches, the American Society of Journalists and Authors, and the Association of Health Care Journalists. She graduated magna cum laude in three years from Boston University with a B.S. in communications and a minor in psychology and received her health coaching certificate from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition.