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Lesson 1 – What is Functional Health?

Course Completion

Introduction to Functional Health for Night Shift Workers
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Lesson unavailable. You must complete all previous lessons and quizzes before you start this lesson.
Lesson unavailable. You must complete all previous lessons and quizzes before you start this lesson.
Lesson unavailable. You must complete all previous lessons and quizzes before you start this lesson.
Lesson unavailable. You must complete all previous lessons and quizzes before you start this lesson.
Lesson unavailable. You must complete all previous lessons and quizzes before you start this lesson.

Lesson 1 – What is Functional Health?

In lesson 1 of our Introduction to Functional Health for Night Workers course, we explore functional medicine – a science-based approach to health that focuses on treating root causes rather than just symptoms. We discuss how functional medicine looks at the interconnected factors affecting health, including diet, sleep, movement, stress, and mental health, to create personalized treatment plans. The video explains how this approach helps prevent future health issues through developing sustainable daily habits and can be particularly valuable for night shift workers by adapting to their unique scheduling needs. Learn how functional medicine empowers individuals to take an active role in their wellness journey and get a preview of the course’s core pillars that we’ll explore in future lessons.

[0:01] What do you think of when you hear the term functional medicine? Maybe it sounds like some kind of alternative or out there approach, but functional medicine is actually a science-backed method of understanding and improving health. It’s different from traditional medicine in that it focuses on treating the root causes of illness rather than just managing symptoms. By getting to the source of health issues, functional medicine helps create lasting solutions that empower people to feel their best.

[0:35] So what exactly is functional medicine and how does it work? It recognizes that factors like diet, sleep, movement, stress and mental health all interact to shape your overall well-being. Because everything is connected, instead of applying a one-size fits-all solution, functional medicine practitioners dive deep into your unique story, considering how all these elements come together to impact you personally and develop a health plan tailored specifically for you.

[1:12] It’s also about prevention and empowerment. Functional medicine helps prevent future health issues by creating strong foundations for health. This is done by helping people develop daily habits that support their body’s needs like choosing nutritious foods, finding effective ways to manage stress, optimizing sleep and moving the body regularly.

[1:35] Dr. Mark Heyman, a pioneer in the field, often says that functional medicine is about treating the person, not just the disease. It’s about empowering you to take an active role in your health by understanding how everyday choices impact your well-being.

[1:55] For those working night shifts or managing unique lifestyle challenges, functional medicine can adapt to your life’s specific demands. It offers tools and strategies that work around an irregular schedule such as meal timing to keep energy steady, targeted stress management techniques and sleep strategies to help you feel well rested even if you’re working outside a typical 9 to 5 schedule.

[2:25] By taking a holistic approach, we’re creating a partnership focused on your long-term wellness. We’re here to give you the knowledge, tools and support to address health concerns from the inside out.

[2:40] This course will cover the core pillars of functional medicine like nutrition, sleep, stress, movement and lifestyle design. We’ll dive into how each of these areas impacts your health and how to apply functional medicine principles to make meaningful, lasting changes for mind, body and spirit.

[3:00] Let’s get started understanding how functional medicine can transform the way we think about health.

  • Functional medicine looks at how all body systems work together and affect each other
  • Daily habits and routines have a direct impact on how these systems function
  • Instead of just managing symptoms, functional medicine aims to find and treat root causes
  • Your body’s systems are all connected – what affects one area impacts others
  • The focus is on creating personalized solutions rather than one-size-fits-all approaches
  • Night shift work brings unique challenges that require specific health adaptations
  • Understanding these connections helps create lasting solutions instead of quick fixes
  • Prevention and building strong foundations are key principles of functional medicine

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