Karen Cairnduff, RN, Accredited Coach
Hello, I'm Karen. I'm a busy midlife mum, senior nurse with more than 30 years experience, and I am a trained life coach.
Like many professional women in healthcare and other high stakes roles, the stress, pressure, exhaustion and overwhelm was becoming part of my life. Long hours, caring for others, disrupted sleep and the challenges of juggling responsibilities started to take its toll on my health and wellbeing.
I wasn't managing work-life balance very well, and was increasingly relying on alcohol for relaxation and comfort - it became an integral part of my coping response.
After the pandemic, I experienced personally how trauma, burnout, grief and anxiety can change our relationship with alcohol.
I reached a stage when drinking no longer felt right for me. I noticed an increased reliance on the wind-down drink, even though I knew it would have a negative affect on my physical and mental wellbeing. Negative thoughts at 3am were not a great way to start the day and I felt that alcohol was holding me back from being my best self for the people I love.
What I discovered through breaking up with alcohol was a sense of calm, a clearer head for decisions, and more energy to do the things I enjoy. I achieved long term life goals, made new connections and discovered how to regulate my nervous system - all without alcohol.
Freedom from alcohol aligns with my future self, and how I want to live my life, especially as I get older.
I developed an interest in the science of behaviour change, nervous system regulation, mindfulness, breathwork and the role life coaching can play in helping people create sustainable habit change in a supportive way.
I finally achieved my long term vision to train as a life coach and specialised in alcohol change because I wanted to offer the support, respect and space I believe many women need but cannot find because of the stigma, shame and fear that is attached to asking for help with alcohol and underlying reasons for drinking.
My coaching works well for anyone who feels they need to change their drinking alongside realigning other areas of their life. Many of my clients are nurses, doctors, teachers, managers, or work in similarly high pressure roles.
I offer a calm, totally confidential and professional approach that understands the challenges for women who are balancing work, stress and personal wellbeing whilst caring for others.
You do not have to reach crisis point before you reach out for support. If alcohol is not working for you anymore, coaching is a proactive way to focus on the change you want.
Don't wait for the perfect time to change, today can be your Day 1.
