Your long awaited update! Conference month has been and gone, but what else has been happening?
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Sept 2023
Welcome member to
Your home of lifestyle medicine news
And just like that September, one of our biggest months of the year is nearly over!
After such a fantastic conference with so many wonderful and inspiring speakers and delegates, we want to remind you how grateful we are for those that attended physically and virtually, but also for our Members and this diverse, passionate community that has grown around us. None of this would be possible without you!
Below is your guide to all things Lifestyle Medicine this month, feedback and insight into October so far and the months to come.
In this month's Newsletter...
HEADLINE NEWS
BSLM 2023 - Our Annual Conference
What a fantastic Conference it was!
So incredibly lucky that this year we were so blessed with so many of you able to join us at Manchester Central from Thursday the 21st of Sept - Saturday the 23rd Sept this month.
We were so fortunate to see so many familiar faces and new, speakers, topics, attendees and our community is growing by the day!
Couldn't make it? Not to worry - you'll be able to catch up below on some key parts, points and many photos and videos to come on the website!
Photo summaries of the conference are here!
Our 2023 BSLM Photo gallery will be up soon!
In our next newsletter we will happy link you to the gallery so you can sneak a peek!
In the meantime feel free to check out our social media - it will give you a real feel for 2023.
LIFESTYLE MEDICINE IN FOCUS
Some noteworthy Lifestyle Medicine features within the recent news in Britain.
Falling out of love with your career?
It's hard to keep passionate when you're experiencing symptoms of burnout alongside your patients or peers. There is hope on the horizon with more Medical Bodies recognising Physician burnout, but how do you fall back in love with practicing medicine through lifestyle medicine?
Longevity of life is increasing, with more people reaching the 100 club than before. What secrets to the Blue Zones (where people's life expectancy is at all time high) hold and what tips do they have to use in practice?
Yoga may be the way forward for RA Sufferers
A recently released Scientific Reports study suggests Yoga is can improve symptoms for those who have Rheumatoid Arthritis. Integrating Yoga into a morning routine is now more beneficial than ever before!
Other Lifestyle Medicine News and Events
Sleep Better with Holland and Barrett
Sleep is one of the 6 pillars of Lifestyle Medicine and it's extremely important to practice good sleep hygiene. Holland and Barrett have released in the last few days a guide to better sleeping.
Whether you or someone you know, or patients utilise this guide, it's a handy and accessible in depth guide to all things sleep.
LATEST NEWS AT BSLM
We've been featured on Pulse Live Talks!
Much more exposure is surrounding the Lifestyle Medicine movement in Britain and we're so delighted to see it! One of the latest articles we found was from Pulse Live talks, with Dr Jo Fleming and Dr Hussain Al-Zubaidi highlighting how Lifestyle Medicine can be implemented in primary care.
It's so fantastic to see that the spotlight is shining on long-term health conditions and how Lifestyle Medicine is utilised in practice as a preventative or to reverse the effects of health conditions. High emphasis of the patient being actively engaged with their own care through behavioural and lifestyle changes, exactly how we want to be mentioned!
The article itself gives a great in depth analysis of how to integrate Lifestyle Medicine in Primary Care through Case studies and methods. Do check it out!
It's so fantastic for us here at British Society of Lifestyle Medicine to know that we have such passionate and knowledgable physicians on our side. Thank you to Jo and Hussain for all that you do - and to all of you who are active in your own communities and beyond.
Dr Hussain Al-Zubaidi, who was at BSLM 2023 this year hosting the morning run on the Friday morning and the Sidebar Session: Careers in Lifestyle Medicine on the Thursday is also talking at our joint webinar next month with WONCA. He's also most likely a familiar face for you all that watch Steph's Packed Lunch on Channel 4!
WONCA is the World Organisation of National Colleges, Academies and Academic Associations of General Practitioners/Family Physicians. This webinar is to also host global attendance including the European Lifestyle Medicine Council. It's a privilege for us to have him on board for this event. This will take place on Thursday 26th October at 7pm.
Dr Al-Zubaidi also, alongside many other talents and roles is the West Midlands Lead with Run Talk Run, which recently had a Picnic in the Park Wellbeing event. It looked like a beautiful day for all ages and abilities to come together!
Check out his social media and other activities below. He's a great advocate and very inspiring for all of those who are on their own Lifestyle Medicine journey.
Dr Hussain Al-Zubaidi on Social Media:
Talk The Walk in Edinburgh
With Andrew Morrice
BSLM member Andrew Morrice organised a series of ‘Talk the Walk’ events in and around Edinburgh. The Holyrood Park walk (pictured here at the top of Arthur’s Seat) was the last in the series.
The walks have provided an opportunity for anyone with an interest in lifestyle medicine to connect and increase the education and awareness of lifestyle medicine within their local community.
Our many thanks to Andrew for taking the time to offer these meet ups. They're a fantastic way to bring the Lifestyle Medicine community in Edinburgh together.
If you'd like to do something similar in your local area, or are part of a regional group and need that extra push, do let us know! We're always happy to support and facilitate Lifestyle Medicine meet ups and help where we can.
Mind Over Mountains
We're aligning with the work they do.
Recently we've made connections with Mind over Mountains as we believe they're doing great work through their activities, foster a great approach and ethos.
So what is Mind Over Mountains all about?
We'll let them explain:
Mind Over Mountains is an ambitious and innovative mental health charity that helps people to thrive through therapeutic outdoor experiences. We help people to restore and sustain their mental health through a highly integrated practice that brings together walking in nature, mindfulness, and professional coaching and counselling. We deliver wellbeing walks and multi-day retreats to the general public and on a commissioned basis to a wide range of organisations, including ‘blue light’ emergency services and the NHS.
Founded by serial adventurer and mental health activist, Alex Staniforth, their events run throughout the beautiful national parks of the UK, with bursaries available to those with the most challenging lives. Ranging from one day hill-walks to weekend or midweek 3 day retreats, their programmes take additional steps beyond the core ‘walk and talk’ concept, by also offering professional counselling and coaching during each walk, adding listening to the therapeutic value.
Mind Over Mountains recognises the value of being in nature for mental health, combined not only with exercise but with mindfulness sessions and 1-2-1 counselling and coaching whilst walking alongside qualified wellbeing team members. The concept removes the pressure of a face to face appointment, and of a scheduled time slot, thus eliminating barriers to seeking help for many with mental health challenges.
In this growing mental health crisis, timely professional support is at a premium, often with financial barriers to entry. Through its work as a registered charity, Mind Over Mountains offers bursary support; and also provides pre-event and post-event zoom meetings to help reduce anxieties and to offer ongoing help. Participants join an online group afterwards and share their ongoing journeys and suggestions with others - a truly valuable and positive community to be a part of. Many participants return for further walks or retreats to maintain their progress.
As Alex states, "We believe this time in nature, coupled with professional support is a powerful way to build resilience, talk without pressure and re-find health. No time constraints, no judgement - just support’”. - Mind Over Mountains
We can't wait to work alongside this wonderful fellow charity in the future.
Other BSLM September Updates
Big News for BSLM's Learning Academy!
Did someone say new learning opportunities? Check out our new Learning Academy courses. More information further down for members or hit the button below.
How do you assess Chronic Pain?
The Faculty of Sport and Exercise UK have recently released a podcast with Dr Benjamin Ellis on MSK Medicine. A good listen to those who are querying how to assess chronic pain.
The Alliance Features: Some useful information
The Alliance, or The Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland who works strategically with The Scottish Government had some very important features on their Weekly Bulletin in late August/September.
They released an informative piece on the current funding crisis for Glasgow Community Link Worker Programme which is crucial for many in the most deprived areas of Glasgow for support. Further to this an opinion piece was highlighted addressing health inequalities in Primary Care and importance of funding for community Links workers.
Titled "Bridging the Gap" we can see how it draws parallels to the topics mentioned in Prof Sir Michael Marmot's talk at BSLM 2023. These are such important topics to raise into the public sphere.
FEATURED BSLM EVENTS
Head to the dedicated BSLM events page for the full list of upcoming events
Stress Management at Work Webinar
Friday the 13th of October @ 6pm-7pm - Online
On Friday the 13th of October at 6pm, we are happy to announce we have a brief interactive session with Dr Sarmila Sinha from All Points North on Stress Management at Work.
This event is to take place prior to the Mental Health SIG Meeting, however all are welcome to join to hear Dr Sarmila Sinha's talk. This is a fantastic opportunity as Dr Sinha has 15 years of experience as a Psychiatrist in the UK and is also an Amazon Kindle Best Selling Author!
BSLM and WONCA Webinar
Thursday the 26th October @ 7pm-8pm - Online
As previously mentioned in this Newsletter, we are co-hosting a Webinar alongside WONCA with Dr Hussain Al-Zubaidi.
His talk is titled "Why you should consider grabbing your trainers before the prescription pad".
We will be in touch with further updates regarding this webinar and where it will be hosted in our next Newsletter.
BSLM October Webinar
We've had a busy month but not to worry, we will keep you posted on any updates and information surrounding our October Webinar, which will be announced in the next few weeks.
If you are looking to still utilise the previous recorded webinars we have, you can find them on our Webinars page under Previous Webinars.
We look forward to presenting October's Webinar very soon!
Other Events
Schedule the below in your diary for November!
Royal Society of Medicine: Upcoming Events
The Royal Society of Medicine is hosting two upcoming events in November that we want you to hear about!
If you're not a member and would like to join the Royal Society of Medicine you'll receive an exclusive BSLM Members discount if you're a Member with us too!
Being a Member with them gives you a significant discount on any of their events. Any further information do get in touch via email and we can happy assist.
Both events are held at the Royal Society of Medicine's London Office.
Reimagining working for health: Addressing the workforce crisis
Importance of diet for brain health and cognitive function through the lifespan
Wednesday 8th Nov 2023 from 9:00am to 5:00pm @ The Royal Society of Medicine, London
Diabetes Professional Care
Tuesday 15th and Wednesday 16th Nov from 9am to 5pm @ Olympia London
Join us at Diabetes Professional Care for the entire team involved in the prevention, treatment and management of diabetes and its related conditions.
Free-to-attend for registered healthcare professionals, you will explore the future of diabetes care, discover the latest technology, and gain key clinical updates alongside 3,500+ like-minded peers from secondary, primary and community care.
British Geriatic Society: Upcoming Autumn Meeting
Wednesday 22nd to Friday the 24th of Nov @ Vox, Birmingham
The British Geriatic Society is holding their 2023 BGS Autumn Meeting later this year. This is a fantastic opportunity for our members as you'll be able to utilise your Member Coupon Code when booking this event! Any support required do contact us.
Already pulling together a comprehensive programme on varying topics such as Community and Primary Care, Orthogeriatrics, Oncogeriatrics, Workforce, Clinical Quality and Quality Improvement, Safe Prescribing, Osteoporosis, Continence and Frailty in Urgent Care and guest speakers it looks a comprehensive meet but with the ability to network and refresh between sessions.
With BGS also working in partnership with the Fragility Fracture Network UK (FFN UK), The Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) and The International Society of Geriatric Oncology (SIOG) it looks like a fantastic event to attend if you are able. There is also the option to join live on the day or watch back if you have other commitments.
This event is also open to all multidisciplinary specialists responsible for the health care of older people are encouraged to join and has applied for 18 live CPD credits
We really hope you can make it!
Learning Academy
Exclusive: New Courses have been released!
Have you been eager to learn more after completing our The Gut Microbiome for Clinicians Course? Or have you been keen to enrol in further learning but not found your particular interest has been covered?
We have 3 fantastic new courses available for you now via the BSLM Learning Academy!
The 3 Newest Topics include:
- Low-Carbohydrate approaches for People with Type 2 Diabetes
Mediterranean Diet and Lifestyle Medicine
A Primer to Integrated Pain Management Using Lifestyle Medicine Principles
We also have other courses that expand your existing learning, or build on it if you're not a clinician:
BSLM Core Accreditation in Lifestyle Medicine - Conversion from IBLM
- BSLM Enhanced Personal Development in Lifestyle Medicine
Look at all of our newest learning options below! We can't wait for you to join our Trailblazing community of learners.
Have a topic that's courseworthy?
Building on the success of our Microbiome and Core Accreditation in LM courses, we are looking to expand our range of options for learners.
Our experienced team will support you every step of the way. If you would like to learn more about what course writing entails you can watch this video of our vice president, Ellen Fallows, talking about course writing.
We are currently particularly looking for writers in the areas of women’s health, child and adolescent health, and weight management, so please do let us know if you have expertise in these areas. However, if you have another idea for a course, please get in touch and we would be happy to explore it with you.
To express interest please complete this form and we will be in touch to discuss next steps.
A reminder if you're not quite ready for writing a course, but would be interested in presenting on an evidence-based topic - we'd love to hear from you for our monthly webinars.
NHS NETWORKS
Top News Stories in September
Diabetes peer support tool
NHS England, Diabetes UK and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation have launched an interactive peer support tool for people living with type 1 diabetes which enables clinicians and people to search for local peer support groups.
No and low-alcohol drinks
More people could be encouraged to purchase alcohol-free drinks in pubs, restaurants, shops, and venues, under government proposals to make alternatives to alcoholic drinks more popular and widely available.
This report, published on behalf of more than 30 national charities, sets out what a long-term government mental health plan for England could look like. It calls for action to tackle poverty and racial injustice, for reforms to the benefits and justice systems, and for further investment in better and more equitable mental health services.
Email us - office@bslm.org.uk
