HealthFirst

21/08/2026

You may know Dr Michelle as our HealthFirst Director, but there’s much more to her story.

She was recently featured on Your Path to Success with Ruth Kearns Wollmann, sharing her journey from GP in East London to health educator, radio broadcaster and co-founder of HealthFirst in Switzerland.

Listen in for an inspiring conversation about professional reinvention and what it takes when life unfolds differently from how you imagined.

What does it take to reinvent your professional identity in a new country — while still holding onto everything that made you good at your job in the first place? This episode is a story of professional reinvention: Dr Michelle Wright, a British-qualified GP moved to the Lake Geneva region 22 year...

20/08/2026

Looking for a peer-to-peer support community for men?

Blokes and Black Dogs is starting in Nyon, with the first session on 26 August at 18:30.

See the flyer for more details.

13/08/2026

The school summer holidays may be winding down, but there’s still plenty of summer and sunshine ahead. ☀️

Sunscreen isn’t just for holidays and beach days. UV exposure can affect our skin while we’re walking, exercising, gardening, hiking or simply enjoying lunch outside.

Regular sun protection helps prevent sunburn and premature skin ageing and, importantly, reduces the risk of skin cancer.

But are you getting the most from your sunscreen?

In our latest HealthFirst blog, we look at what to choose, how much to use, when to reapply, expiry dates and storage. Plus why sunscreen is only one part of effective sun protection.

So, while the school bags may be coming back out, keep the sunscreen handy.

Read the full blog on the HealthFirst website. Link in comments.

11/08/2026

Back to school in Switzerland?

Get our 8 tips to help keep your family healthy, happy and prepared.

✔︎ Vaccinations
✔︎ Medication
✔︎ Emergency contacts
✔︎ Health check-ups
✔︎ Backpack safety
✔︎ Head lice — and more!

📋 Read the full checklist before the school year gets underway.

🔗 Link in the comments.

07/08/2026

Do you know which phone number to call in an emergency in Switzerland?

In this week’s First Aid Friday, Dr Sarah Glick shares one thing she thinks everyone should know: the emergency numbers to remember.

📞 112 for general emergencies
🚑 144 for an ambulance

Remember these numbers and you are already halfway towards good first aid!

05/08/2026

When was the last time nature made you feel better? 🌿

Whether it's a walk in the forest, a swim in the lake, or a hike in the mountains, spending time outdoors can benefit both your body and your mind.

Read our latest blog to learn why.

🔗 Link in the comments

03/08/2026

Is the hot weather making your hot flushes worse?

If you're a woman in your 40s or 50s and finding this warm weather harder to cope with than everyone else, you're not imagining it.

During the perimenopause and menopause, changing hormone levels affect the body's temperature control system, making hot flushes and night sweats more common. Add a heatwave, and symptoms can become even more uncomfortable.

A few simple tips may help:
✔️ Drink plenty of water throughout the day
✔️ Choose light, breathable clothing
✔️ Keep a fan or cooling mist within reach
✔️ Create a cool sleeping environment
✔️ Notice your triggers and reduce them where possible

If hot flushes are affecting your sleep, work or quality of life, don't just put up with them. Effective treatments are available, including hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which remains the most effective treatment for menopausal symptoms. For those who can't or choose not to take HRT, newer non-hormonal options, such as fezolinetant, may also help.

Menopause is a natural stage of life, but suffering through it doesn't have to be.

02/08/2026

Wishing everyone across Switzerland a happy, healthy and safe Swiss National Day 🇨🇭

30/07/2026

Good friends are good for your health 💙

Today, on International Day of Friendship, we're celebrating the powerful impact that friendship has on our physical and mental health and well-being.

Strong social connections do more than make life more enjoyable. They help reduce stress, boost our happy hormones, and are linked to a lower risk of heart disease, dementia and depression. Research also shows that people with supportive communities tend to live longer, healthier lives.

Take a moment today to reach out to a friend and share this reminder with someone who matters to you!

28/07/2026

This week marked World Drowning Prevention Day Health Organization (WHO)

Could you save a child from drowning?

In this video, Dr Michelle explains the essential first aid steps for responding to a drowning child.

Please note: This video is based on the 2021 resuscitation guidelines. Since then, the ERC and SRC have updated their guidance. One important change is that emergency services should now be called as soon as an unresponsive person is found, before checking for breathing.

💻 For a step-by-step guide, read our accompanying blog https://healthfirst.ch/company/blog/how-to-help-in-a-drowning-emergency/

Save this post and share it with parents, grandparents, and anyone who spends time around water.