Functional Health Australia

Philosophy

At Functional Health Australia we firmly believe that no matter the starting point or goal, we can all be better, healthier, more fulfilled versions of ourselves.  We want to inspire people to make healthy choices daily and to enjoy an active, nourished and engaged life.  We take a holistic approach to health and well-being, focusing on five key elements:

Move | Nourish | Restore | Connect | Mindset  

The five key elements are intimately interconnected and to live life to the fullest, all elements need to be addressed – disregard one and the other elements will be implicated. The person must be treated as a whole, taking into account all physical and psychosocial factors represented by our five key elements.

1/ Move

Our bodies are designed to move, yet with life’s demands; be it time, injury or illness, exercise can easily fall by the wayside. We believe that with the right support and personalised plans, Functional Health Australia can get you moving again, giving you the strength and vitality to help reach your goals one step at a time – no matter the starting point!

The role of exercise has been well documented and proven to improve physical, mental and emotional health. Exercise plays a crucial role in maintaining the function of all body systems, elevating mood and energy and often leads to making mindful, healthier choices throughout the course of the day.

Regardless of your current health status, we are committed to helping people realise their physical potential by becoming more active in their daily routine, increasing functional fitness and gaining physical independence in the community.  Make exercise an enjoyable, sustainable and rewarding part of your day. Functional Health Australia’s team are here to help you get moving. Contact us for more info.

2/ Nourish

To perform at your best it’s important to ensure you are nourishing your mind and body with nutritious food.  The key lies in making mindful decisions, consistently with regards to the source, processing, type of food and establishing positive daily eating habits. Making informed choices about the nutritional benefits of the foods you consume will facilitate a positive, well-balanced approach to a healthy, sustainable diet.

It is increasingly important to understand the source and quality of our food. Simple steps such as eating fresh and wholesome food, eliminating processed food and refined sugar intake, and understanding fermentation principles, can all help to improve gut and mental health, maintain normal hormone levels, reduce fatigue and keep us feeling energised for longer.  Providing your body with the correct hydration and nutrients helps it function as it was intended – to optimise health, upregulate the body’s detoxification processes and promote healing.

Functional Health Australia advocates for sustainable and ethically sourced food and reducing processed and refined options that are negatively affecting our health and wellbeing.  We believe that learning where your food comes from assists with the nourishment of both your mind and body.  Our team are here to help you with your nutritional needs. Contact us for more info.

3/ Restore

Physical wellbeing and high performance in life must be balanced with self-care in the form of quality sleep and restful, restorative activity. Neglecting this key element can leave you feeling stuck, demotivated and lacking in energy, vitality and joy.

It is believed that most people are not getting enough sleep, resting or restoring themselves. Sleep is considered just as important as physical activity and eating mindfully. Research has found that if we are not getting adequate levels of quality sleep it can have a profound effect on our everyday lives, and relationships, leading to increased levels of inflammation, poor cognitive performance, reduced function and irritability.

However, maintaining good levels of sleep and other restorative techniques, such as massage, yoga, focused breath work and meditation can improve mood and resilience, restoring equilibrium and vitality. This improves cognitive function and leaves us better equipped to navigate the inevitable ups and downs we all encounter in life. Contact us for more info.

4/ Connect

Human beings are not intended to live in isolation – we need to understand and nurture healthy, positive connections with the community and environment in which we live. This sense of connection and social responsibility can balance and sustain us on the road to holistic health.

Within our communities of family, friends, colleagues and support networks, we all need and have the ability to supply emotional support. Our lives are becoming increasingly fast-paced and it is easy to dismiss opportunities of connection, but neglected, connection can cause or worsen the impact of everyday physical and mental problems such as fatigue, stress, anxiety and depression. And don’t forget about our pets!  Studies have shown ‘pet owners have better happiness and health outcomes compared to non-pet owners.’ (Companion Animal Economics, 2016)

Our physical environment is a criticial component of connection, and we can better understand and own this relationship through the study of integrative and environmental medicine. It is becoming increasingly evident of the impact the environment has upon our mind, body and emotions.
We believe in taking responsibility for our environmental impact by reducing waste and making intentional cleaner choices on a daily basis.
Contact us for more info.

5/ Mindset

A good mindset is vital to high-performance and integral to holistic health. On a daily basis we are bombarded with messages of who and what we should be and comparing ourselves to others, sometimes leaving us disappointed and despondent. With clarity of purpose and a positive attitude, we can block out the noise, cultivate energy and stay true to our path to live a more fulfilled, content life.

Ups and downs are a normal part of our everyday life, but a good mindset provides the motivational spark we need to push through the lows and strive for even greater highs.  A good mindset is grounded in the ability to reflect, be grateful, transform and adopt a positive attitude about the future. At times these may seem like impossible tasks but there are practical tools and exercises we can use to alter our patterns of behaviour and outlook to reduce self-doubt. These can be simple activities such as goal-setting, trying to learn from our mistakes, adopting positive self-talk, reframing our thoughts and connecting with like-minded, inspirational friends and mentors.  If you’re unsure where to begin, contact us and let our mindset coaches get you started.