For our 11th edition, we interviewed Dr. Tory Giles from The Grove Noosa. Read on as she gives us her insights on wellness, business, and self-care.
— "How do you blend the ancient healing modalities of Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine with modern functional medicine in your practice, and what benefits do you see from this integrative approach?"
I feel our health can be complex and multi-layered and I look at the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual aspects of our well-being. That’s why I love the integrated approach, it allows me to address health from all angles, creating a more holistic and personalised path to optimising human health!
— "How essential is a consistent wellness routine in achieving optimal health, and what are some practical ways women can incorporate these practices into their busy lives, especially when juggling business and personal commitments?"
I believe a consistent wellness routine is like the foundation of a house—it's essential for everything else to stand strong and flow. A regular routine becomes a habit, so even when life gets hectic, you still have these daily habits and rituals in place, which you don’t really need to think about, they are just part of who you are and what you do.
It’s all about finding practical ways to weave wellness into your daily life. Here are a few tips:
Start small: begin with simple, achievable practices like a 10-minute morning meditation or a daily walk. Small steps create a big impact over time.
Prioritise sleep: quality sleep is the cornerstone of good health. Bring in a bedtime routine that helps you wind down and have some ‘me time.’ Getting into bed even 20 minutes earlier will have a huge positive flow-on effect the next day.
Nourishing protein-rich breakfast with intention: plan your meals ahead, prepping your food and batch cooking on the weekends is amazing! Starting the day with a protein rich breakfast will fuel your brain, keep blood sugar levels stable and increase energy!
— "You specialise in stress and anxiety management. What are some effective strategies for reducing stress and maintaining mental wellbeing, particularly for women balancing the demands of both career and family?"
Two things came to mind here: Breathwork and Boundaries!
Breath work: Your breath is a remarkably powerful tool for regulating your nervous system and managing stress, and the best part is—you always have it with you. A highly effective breathing technique to reset your nervous system is called heart coherence breathing. Simply inhale slowly through your nose for 5 seconds, then exhale slowly through your nose for another 5 seconds. Practicing this for just a few minutes can create a noticeable shift in your stress and anxiety levels.
Set boundaries: I feel it’s important to set clear boundaries, around work life, personal life, and how much energy you give out to others. Boundaries help prevent burnout and ensure that you’re fully present in each area of your life, which in turn drastically reduces anxiety. Practicing saying ‘no’ without giving reason or explanation can be very powerful, it’s about tuning in to what is best for you.
— "What unique challenges do women face in terms of hormonal balance and fertility, and how can holistic practices support women through different life stages?"
Women face several unique challenges regarding hormonal balance and fertility throughout different life stages such as hormonal fluctuations, fertility concerns, menstrual cycle irregularities and symptoms, and perimenopause / menopause.
To me our hormones are like a report card of how well we are doing life! If the report card is out of balance, which unfortunately is the case for the modern stressed out and anxious woman, we need to come back to our pillars of health, and this is what holistic practices address and what I empower my clients with; sleep, movement and exercise, nourishment (wholesome food and herbal medicine), nervous system regulation, breathing, purpose, and the company we keep.
— "Ice baths and infrared therapy are known for their powerful effects on the body. How do these therapies support wellness from the inside out, especially for women’s health?"
Women can experience numerous health benefits from these therapies, including reduced inflammation (which I believe is a key factor behind many diseases and physical ailments), alleviated chronic pain, faster recovery, enhanced immune function, improved mood, increased energy and focus, and my favourite; a greater resilience to stress. For women who are menstruating, it’s especially important to use saunas and ice baths at the right times during their cycle to maximise these benefits.
— "As a business owner, how do you ensure that you prioritise your personal wellness while managing a growing business? What advice would you give to women entrepreneurs who struggle to find this balance?"
The magic of mornings! I’ve found that waking up early—about an hour before my kids rise—and establishing a solid morning routine can truly transform the day. While I can't predict what the day will bring, I can plan the first few things I do upon waking. For me, that includes starting with a glass of warm water with lemon, a 15-minute breathwork and meditation session, and a nutritious high-protein breakfast.
— "At The Grove Noosa, you emphasise the importance of social wellness. How do you believe connection with others enhances our health, and what role does community play in your holistic approach to wellness?"
Community and connection nurture our emotional needs, strengthens our sense of belonging, validates our self-worth and amplifies our joy. To me, combining human connection with health activities is the ultimate in creating happy, healthy and content humans!
— "Skincare is a key aspect of self-care. How do you incorporate natural skincare practices, like those offered by Saya Skincare, into your intentional self-care recommendations for women?"
What we apply to and do with our skin is crucial; our skin is our largest organ, it mirrors the state of our internal health and is the first point of contact with the external world – meaning whatever we put on will have an effect on how our body and mind functions.
I always emphasise the importance of clean, natural skin care products, just like the ingredients in Saya. I encourage women to create skin care rituals - setting aside time each morning and night for a calming skincare routine allows women to bring in mindfulness, connect with themselves, unwind and nourish their bodies. You could team up the heart coherence breathing whilst doing your skin-care!