A Guide for Expats

For expats and international small business employees, maintaining wellness in a foreign environment can prove to be both challenging and isolating. A reliable health partner, such as a health coach or accountability buddy, can be the bridge that optimizes your wellness journey, providing support and structure. Here at Expatinsure, a number of us have a coach to help us stay healthy. I for one can attest to how useful it is. If I miss a workout, I know I have to explain why to someone other than myself, and that keeps me on top of organising my day to ensure I fit in some exercise.

But, that’s not the only reason, here’s why having a health partner is invaluable for optimizing an international wellness plan and how they can help expats stay on track with their health goals.

1. Personalized Support and Accountability

A health partner (or Coach) offers personalized wellness support that’s difficult to achieve on your own. They provide guidance tailored to your unique health needs, offering regular check-ins and adjustments to your goals. Health partners can identify which aspects of wellness need attention - be it nutrition, stress management, or physical fitness - and develop actionable plans to address these. This type of one-on-one support encourages sustainable habit-building, helping you stay motivated despite the potential stress of living abroad.

2. Consistency and Motivation in a New Environment

In a new country, the demands of daily life may interfere with wellness routines. Health partners or wellness coaches provide a steady source of motivation, keeping you on track with your fitness and wellness goals. Research shows that having an accountability buddy can greatly improve success rates for achieving wellness goals. For instance, those working with a health partner are more likely to engage in consistent exercise and maintain healthier eating habits. By offering encouragement and support, a health partner helps you remain focused on your long-term wellness goals, even when adjusting to a new lifestyle.

3. Improved Mental and Physical Health

A health partner can also help you navigate lifestyle changes that directly impact both mental and physical health. For example, a wellness coach can guide you in creating routines that reduce stress, improve sleep, and encourage physical activity, all of which are important for a balanced life abroad. Studies indicate that people working with health coaches see improvements in areas like blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and body mass index, as well as mental well-being. In some cases this can also help you secure better rates on your healthcare insurance. This holistic approach to health fosters better resilience, making it easier to adapt and thrive in new environments as an expat.

4. Access to Health Resources and Cultural Adaptation

Expats can face unfamiliar healthcare systems, cultural norms, and dietary habits that affect their wellness routines. A health partner not only offers health resources but can also provide insights into local wellness options, such as fitness classes or dietary choices. They may suggest alternatives that accommodate local customs and available resources, enabling you to integrate more seamlessly into your new surroundings. This culturally adapted approach ensures your wellness journey aligns with the local environment, creating a smoother adjustment process. Expats should also look at their health insurer for ideas on these sort of things. Cigna has it wellness app and with telemedicine, medical consultations are just a phone call away.

5. Cost-Effectiveness and Long-Term Benefits

Investing in a health partner may initially seem like an added expense, but studies have shown that working with a wellness coach or accountability buddy can lead to significant healthcare savings by improving adherence to wellness plans and reducing the likelihood of medical issues. For expats managing both personal and professional lives abroad, this proactive approach reduces healthcare costs over time, lowers stress, and improves productivity. Again, when you are looking at your long term medical condition, controlling or keeping things like Diabetes at bay, will reduce premiums for your healthcare insurance.

A health partner can be a powerful resource for expats looking to optimize their wellness plans while living internationally. Through personalized guidance, consistent motivation, and culturally adapted strategies, a wellness coach or accountability buddy can transform wellness routines, making it easier to stay healthy and resilient abroad. Expats can benefit from the support and accountability of a health partner, ensuring a balanced approach to wellness that not only meets immediate health goals but also fosters long-term well-being in new environments.

By embracing the support of a health partner, you equip yourself with the tools needed to maintain a healthier, more fulfilling life abroad.