Stress Awareness Month

“If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your estimate of it—and this you have the power to revoke at any moment.”
— Marcus Aurelius

You can say what you want about Marcus Aurelius, love him or hate him he’s got a point. You do have the power and the ability to revoke what energy you are personally willing to invest in your daily stressors. You can choose to live with them, or you can work to reduce or completely remove them from your energy field. 

Stress is an unavoidable part of life, and we all experience and manage it differently. While there’s no single “right” way to handle stress, unmanaged stress can take a real toll on both our physical and mental health.

April is National Stress Awareness Month, an observance created to highlight the impact of stress and encourage healthier ways to manage it (American Institute of Stress).

How stress can show up physically and mentally:

Physical impacts may include: headaches, fatigue, muscle tension, sleep disruptions, GI issues, chest pain, lowered immunity, and decreased libido.

Mental and emotional impacts may include: increased anxiety, mood changes, low motivation, memory issues, anger, sadness, or feelings of overwhelm.

Simple ways to manage stress:

• Prioritize sleep
• Stay active and get outside
• Connect socially
• Practice mindfulness
• Journal or write creatively
• Eat a balanced diet
• Try relaxation techniques (yoga, breathing, meditation, massage)
• Reduce alcohol or substance use
• Seek professional support when needed

Stress may be inevitable, but you can choose how much access it has to your energy. Start by recognizing its presence, then take small, intentional steps to reduce its impact.

Looking for support this month? Join LeadWhole Coaching & Health Care Advocacy on April 25 from 11:00AM–12:30PM for our Seasonal Spring Reset Workshop. Connect with others, reset your routine, and manage stress together.
Seats are limited—register today!

Join the Journey! The Benefits of a Group Coaching Program

The coaching experience is both challenging and rewarding, offering substantial opportunities for personal and professional growth. As someone who has participated in coaching as both a coach and a coachee, I have witnessed significant development and introspective progress through these experiences.

One of the primary difficulties in group coaching lies in selecting the most suitable program for your individual needs. It is essential to clearly define your objectives by asking, “What do I want to accomplish through coaching?” Understanding the distinctions between various coaching programs is crucial; for example, corporate group coaching often emphasizes project or task completion, while individual lifestyle or leadership group coaching prioritizes personal development in areas such as boundary-setting, communication, and organizational skills.

Clarifying your goals will enable you to select the program that aligns best with your aspirations. Over the years, I have benefited from both individual and group coaching experiences, each providing valuable insights. Below are some key advantages I gained from participating in group coaching:

• A collaborative environment that enabled me to leverage the collective expertise of the group, facilitating my learning in a noncompetitive and supportive setting.
• Enhanced public speaking and presentation abilities, along with the development of a more robust vocabulary.
• Improved communication skills and the cultivation of deeper interpersonal relationships.
• Access to an expanded professional network, including motivators, mentors, and peers.
• Increased personal accountability for my own growth.
• An affordable option for formal coaching, allowing me to receive support while maintaining fiscal responsibility.

If you are interested in learning more about our LeadWhole 6-Week “The Journey” Group Coaching Program, please click here or schedule a Discovery Call to discuss the program directly with me, Coach Carol of LeadWhole Coaching & Healthcare Advocacy. Our next Group Journey begins May 12th, 2026.

LeadWhole on the Move: Finding My Voice

March was a busy month for this ol’ coach 💁🏾‍♀️ spent largely on the road, outside the office, finding my voice and helping amplify the voices of incredible young people.

As coaches, it isn’t always easy to express ourselves or feel heard. Too often, feeling misunderstood can make us believe our voices don’t matter. I’m here to say the opposite: your voice matters, and it’s essential to the healing of both you and those around you.

Sometimes it’s not that you lack a voice—you just haven’t found what amplifies it yet. That takes time, space, grace, and the right people to help create that space.

This month, I was honored to give others room to lift their voices, while being given the same opportunity myself. I’m deeply grateful to the Cortland YWCA and author Theresa E. Radley for creating such meaningful experiences.

The photos below highlight this year’s YWCA’s Annual Girls Day Out, where I connected with future young female leaders through affirmation cards, learning about women in STEM, and conversations on the importance of mentoring. The second set captures the March Her Story Community Connection Event, created and hosted by Theresa E. Radley was a powerful, supportive space for women to share their stories and be heard. The experience was inspiring, empowering, and unforgettable.

Thank you all for a wonderful start to the year.

Coach Carol

Reclaiming Deserves a Little Rewarding

It’s been a minute and I can’t lie; I have MISSED you all so very much gracing me with your presence and energy in the LeadWhole Coaching’s Wellbeing & Wholeness Market. As part of my commitment to helping you to destress this month and of course to provide our Books & Brews Book Club members an opportunity to pick up their 2^nd Quarter Kits, I will be opening the Market on Saturday April 4^th from 11:00-3:00pm 

Location: 93 Clinton St. Homer, NY 13077

Stop in, have a seat and a sip of tea, and pick yourself up a little reward! Look for the Open Sign in the window!

Can’t make it in? No worries you can always shop online 24/7/365 by visiting: www.leadwholeshop.com

To sign up for Books & Brews click here.

Events & Other Happenings!

Upcoming Webinars

To register for this webinar event click here.

Upcoming Seasonal Retreat Opportunities

To register for this event click here.