Wellbeing | The Runway

Wellbeing is essential to the Australian Defence Force (ADF) as it directly impacts operational readiness, performance, and overall morale. When ADF personnel are physically fit, mentally resilient, and emotionally balanced, they can fulfil their duties effectively, make sound decisions, and enhance team dynamics. Prioritizing wellbeing creates a supportive environment, recognizes the sacrifices of personnel, and improves job satisfaction and retention. It also proactively addresses mental health challenges, reduces stress, and promotes psychological resilience among ADF members. By investing in the wellbeing of its personnel, the ADF ensures readiness, cohesion, and the overall success of military missions.

Caffeine Has a Weird Effect on Your Brain While You're Asleep

New research shows caffeine disrupts deep sleep by overstimulating the brain even when it is at rest. Late night caffeine use may hinder recovery, memory consolidation and cognitive readiness – keys to peak performance during high tempo operational demands.

Neuroimaging study suggests mindfulness meditation lowers sensory gating

Meditators are more attuned to subtle signals, showing heightened body awareness and reduced emotional suppression. This can mean quicker reactions, better self-regulation and improved situational awareness under pressure.

Summer Hydration: Your Daily Water Requirements Guide

Adequate water intake isn’t always as simple as the oft-quoted eight glasses of water per day. Various factors affect required individual water intake, including body size, medications, gender, physical activity, climate, health status and altitude.

Participants in the Air Force Women in Aviation program rock climb at the RAAF Base Williamtown gym.

What’s the difference between “abs” and “core”? One term focuses on aesthetics and the other on function

Abs refers to visible abdominal muscles. Core includes deeper muscles supporting movement. Understanding how they work together helps improve physical strength, reduce injury risk, and support movement—especially when part of a consistent, full-body training program.

The Psychology of Sustainable Fitness

For many people, fitness starts with motivation and ends in frustration. And, because motivation fluctuates, high-intensity efforts often backfire. So, instead of intensity, chase continuity because small, consistent actions are more likely to become habits.

A RAAF Spartan aircraft offloads Australian and Indian aid at Wapenamanda airport, PNG

The re-emergence of polio in Papua New Guinea shows global eradication remains elusive

Recent polio cases in Papua New Guinea highlight the urgent need for stronger health systems—disease control still depends on widespread access, fast responses and consistent international cooperation. PNG's routine immunisation rate remains critically low.

The Myth of Belonging

Not belonging isn’t a flaw, it’s a different psychological orientation. From the moment we are born, we are wired for connection, but standing apart can be a form of integrity—not isolation.

We talk a lot about being ‘resilient’. But what does it actually mean?

Resilience means having the ability to cope with, and rebound from, life’s challenges and still achieve our goals. Our capacity to cope with stressors can determine whether we thrive, or just survive.

Using same arm for vaccination boosts antibody response: Study

Early research carried out by a group of Sydney-based scientists found that people who had both doses of a vaccination in the same arm produced neutralising antibodies significantly faster, hastening the body’s immune response.

An Australian Army soldier from 3rd Combat Service Support Battalion completes a Tactical Combat Casualty Care card for a patient during a simulated vehicle crash.

To prepare for future threats, treat health security as national security

Health and defence have been integrated into defence strategies in Canada, Britain, the US and New Zealand. Australia needs to do the same. Ignoring this link weakens preparedness in an increasingly unpredictable global landscape.