Dr John Briffa

Tackling sickness #presenteeism in organisations: What can be done? Webinar tomorrow at 12.30pm with Professor Gail Kinman and Dr. Christine Grant Book at https://lnkd.in/ep8MQcMw Launching a new Society of Occupational Medicine guide on presenteeism - at: https://lnkd.in/eHcnF_UT Awareness of sickness presenteeism and its impact on employees and organisations is growing. Research shows a rise in presenteeism, particularly for mental health issues, with healthcare workers and home-based employees especially vulnerable. Although working while not fully fit can be beneficial, dysfunctional presenteeism poses significant health and safety risks. It can delay recovery, increase the risk of future health problems and absenteeism, and reduce productivity. Sickness presenteeism can also lead to errors, accidents and injuries, impacting not only the sick employee but also their colleagues and the public. This can be particularly harmful in roles involving the wellbeing and safety of others. To address dysfunctional presenteeism effectively, systemic, evidence-based interventions are required. This webinar examines sickness presenteeism using insights from the recently published SOM guide and the authors’ own research. It considers the prevalence of sickness presenteeism, the contributing factors and its impact on employee wellbeing and productivity. Research from the education and security sectors is used to illustrate the varied causes and impact of presenteeism across different organisational contexts. A range of evidence-based strategies is presented to help organisations mitigate the harmful effects of presenteeism and promote a ‘healthier’ approach to sickness absence. The critical role of occupational health practitioners in managing dysfunctional presenteeism is explored, along with practical strategies to address this issue. Time is also allocated for questions and discussion about this important challenge. Chair: Dr Charlie Vivian

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🧠 Is What You Eat Protecting Your Brain? A new long-term study published in Clinical Nutrition has explored how dietary patterns influence brain health - using 18 years of data from the well-known DIRECT trial. 📖 The Study in Brief: Researchers followed adults with overweight or obesity, assessing how different diets (Mediterranean, low-fat, and low-carb) related to brain structure and cognitive performance. 🔬 Key Findings: 🥗 Higher adherence to a Mediterranean-style diet was linked with: Larger brain volume 🧩 Less white matter damage 🧠 Better executive function and focus over time ⚡ 🌿 Diets richer in vegetables, legumes, olive oil, and healthy fats, and lower in ultra-processed foods, showed the strongest benefits. ⚠️ Caution: These are associations, not proof of cause and effect - but they strongly support the role of nutrition in healthy cognitive ageing. 📌 Why it matters: Protecting your brain may start on your plate. Eating for long-term performance isn't just about the body - it's about fuelling focus, clarity, and resilience for years to come. #BrainHealth #NutritionScience #CognitiveHealth #MediterraneanDiet #HealthyAgeing #PerformanceNutrition #FoodForThought #EatSmart #Neuroscience

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Our multinational research highlights the complexity of bloating and distention in disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI). Six patient clusters were identified, showing varying influences of diet, bowel dysfunction, and psychosocial factors. Some experienced mild symptoms with minimal impact on quality of life, while others—particularly those with IBS—faced severe gas-related symptoms and significant HRQoL impairment. Certain clusters were linked to dietary triggers, others to psychological comorbidities. Our findings reinforce the importance of tailoring care to each patient’s unique combination of triggers, so treatment can address what truly drives their symptoms. https://lnkd.in/ethX2MvG

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🔍 New Research Alert A recent UK Biobank study (n=94,541) reveals that how we accumulate physical activity—continuously or sporadically—matters for longevity, and intensity plays a key role. 🏃‍♂️ Key Findings: Moderate-intensity activity (e.g., walking): Continuous bouts of 1–20 minutes significantly reduce mortality risk. Vigorous-intensity activity: Surprisingly, short sporadic bursts (<5 min) are more protective than longer continuous sessions. Tailored recommendations may outperform one-size-fits-all guidelines. 📣 Implication: It’s time to rethink physical activity advice. ✅ Walk continuously for 5–20 minutes. ✅ Sprint or climb stairs in short bursts. ✅ Every minute counts—especially when it’s intense. 🧠 Published in Journal of Sport and Health Science 📎 doi:10.1016/j.jshs.2025.101078 #PhysicalActivity #HealthScience #Longevity #UKBiobank #Accelerometry #PublicHealth #FitnessResearch #LetsGetMoving #FourWaysForward #FitForTheFuture #NHS10YearHealthPlan Joe Henson Alex Rowlands Tom Yates Melanie J Davies CBE

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🚀 Leader wellbeing drives performance more than any app or resilience class ever could. We’ve known for years that wellbeing matters. But the latest data from the White Paper from the University of Singapore puts hard numbers on just how much it matters: 👉 Leader wellbeing is 56× more effective than stress management or resilience programmes for shaping organisational wellbeing. 👉 It’s 50× more effective than wellbeing apps. 👉 And when it comes to organisational performance, leader wellbeing is 11× more impactful than resilience classes and 4× more impactful than apps. The message is clear...if we want healthier, more productive organisations, investing in leaders is not just “a nice idea”, it is the most powerful lever we have. 🌍 At Essentio Health, this is exactly why we put leaders at the centre of our approach. Because when leaders thrive, their teams and organisations follow. Justin Vaughan #healthimpactatscale #liveyourbestlife #buildabridge #essentiohealth #leadershipperformance

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The latest issue of the Journal of Applied Neurosciences is now available! We are thrilled to share the most recent contributions here: - Editorial Article: How we think about one another: in-group (us) versus out-group (them), and how insights from neuroscience can deepen our understanding and actions at work. https://lnkd.in/dd6a8CEV - Original Research Articles: Middle managers’ experiences of resilience during crises: A neuropsychotherapy perspective. https://lnkd.in/dmurpMde   The impact of planned technological change in the public sector: A neuroscientific approach. https://lnkd.in/dB3B-8em - Editorial office: Acknowledgement to reviewers. https://lnkd.in/dkgQFNj4   The Journal of Applied Neurosciences aims to encourage the growing recognition of neuroscience research's potential to inform understanding of human behaviour by publishing original research, conceptual papers, articles, case study reports, and reviews. If you want to read more about the Journal or submit an article, click here: https://lnkd.in/dtzdNMPa   Jenny Venter Nerinda Eshwar Nonofo Dithate AOSIS IAAN

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𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐎𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭 𝐋𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐧 – 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 Just wrapped up an inspiring weekend at the Health Optimisation Summit in London, and my notebook is overflowing with cutting-edge ideas that are shaping the future of wellbeing and longevity. Here are my top takeaways: 𝐏𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐬 & 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐦 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐬 – Regenerative medicine is no longer “someday.” Leading experts shared how peptide therapy is helping to repair tissue, boost recovery, and even support cognitive health. Stem cell applications are moving from theory to real-world solutions for joint repair, immune support, and age management. 𝐍𝐞𝐱𝐭-𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐁𝐢𝐨𝐡𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬– From red light therapy and cold immersion to precision wearables tracking HRV, glucose, and inflammation markers, the tools for self-optimisation are getting smarter and more accessible. The conversation has shifted from if we can measure everything to how we act on the data. 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 – Amid all the high-tech excitement, one message stood out: stress is still the biggest health disruptor. Breathwork sessions, mindfulness practices, and sleep optimisation strategies reminded us that no peptide or stem cell can replace a well-regulated nervous system. The overarching theme? 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. Whether it’s peptides, stem cells, or the latest biohack, the future of health is about knowing your own biology and making targeted, data-driven choices. Prevention isn’t just a buzzword anymore—it’s a strategy for living younger, longer. Which innovation are you most excited to explore in your own health journey? #HealthOptimisationSummit #Longevity #Biohacking #StressManagement #Prevention #PersonalisedHealth #LondonSummit #HealthOptimisationSummitLondon

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Emerging research continues to strengthen the case for mind-body approaches in chronic health conditions. A 2022 study published in Frontiers in Psychiatry examined the role of mind-body interventions in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and fibromyalgia, two conditions historically framed through a biomedical lens alone. Key findings: • Stress and anxiety are central drivers of symptom persistence • Mindfulness, relaxation therapies, and CBT significantly reduce symptom severity • Psychological symptoms improve alongside physical outcomes The implication is not that symptoms are “psychological”, but that nervous system dysregulation plays a key role in ongoing pain and gastrointestinal distress. Addressing the brain–body feedback loop appears essential for long-term recovery. This aligns with a growing body of neuroscience showing that safety, emotional regulation, and threat perception directly influence physical symptoms. 🔗 Full paper: https://lnkd.in/etbjDuJv

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In her book, "The Empathy Effect", psychiatrist and researcher Helen Reiss relates how empathy is vital to the creation of a caring, compassionate society. At a time where – despite rapid technological advances, improved health care and advances in treatment, a time of growth and prosperity, and instant communication – there is a growing level of loneliness and disconnect. There is a great need for a more empathetic and compassionate approach in how we conduct our lives. Reiss describes three components to empathy: 1️⃣ Emotional resonance. When we see someone who is hurt, our brain responds as if it is ourselves who are injured, with our pain pathways lighting up. 2️⃣ Cognition to understand that everyone’s pain is unique to them, enabling us to take the other’s perspective. 3️⃣ Concern being the motivation to respond and take care of another person. Empathy skills are now taught in a variety of medical schools, commonly based on the model developed by Reiss, aptly called EMPATHY. Are empathy and compassion in residence in your workplace? What simple steps could you employ to start raising greater awareness of the need for a more empathetic approach? Do you practice compassion for yourself and others, and how does that show up in your life? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

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The UK & International Health Coaching Association is committed to supporting workplace whole health and wellbeing and are proud to support the Society of Occupational Medicine Occupational Health Awareness Week (OHAW) 2025, highlighting the importance of workplace health and wellbeing. This year’s focus areas reflect the real impact health and wellbeing strategies can have across organisations: 🔹 Supporting HR Professionals – providing resources and webinars to embed effective workplace health approaches. 🔹 Fostering Employee Wellbeing – enhancing engagement, retention, and productivity through proactive health initiatives. 🔹 Recognising OH Professionals – celebrating the vital role Occupational Health specialists play in protecting and promoting workplace health. ❗️Health coaching plays a unique role in supporting both HR and OH, bridging the gap between advice and action. By helping employees set realistic goals, build sustainable habits, and stay motivated, #healthcoaches strengthen the impact of OH programmes and ease the load on HR teams by fostering healthier, more resilient workforces. At #UKIHCA, we know that creating healthier workplaces takes collaboration, leadership and advocacy. The result? Lasting outcomes for workplace wholehealth and wellbeing for individuals and organisations alike. ❗️That’s why our Workplace Whole Health and Wellbeing Ambassadors play such an important role in raising awareness of the value of #healthcoaches in the workplace. We’re proud to highlight our Ambassadors: Dr Jennifer W. Kate Moran Ann-Marie Goodbody Dr Natalie Grinvalds, MPH, BSc, CHES #OHAW2025 #OccupationalHealth #EmployeeWellbeing #HR #HealthCoaching #WorkplaceHealth #UKIHCA

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David Dewane shares 5 powerful ways that help professionals go from languishing to truly flourishing, especially in today’s fast-changing work culture. 🌱💻 #EudaimoniaCoachingUK #Liveshow #FlourishingWork #LanguishingToThriving #WorkplaceWellbeing

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