The New Year is alive with possibilities, and we’re here to ensure that you thrive in 2025. That’s why we’ve enlisted our favourite experts across the board to share their best advice and know-how. You’re welcome!
Melissa Lainn, Integrative Nutrition Health Coach
Elevation Training
When I need a boost to face life’s challenges, I say to myself, “Elevation training!” It’s a way to remind myself to lean into hard things with more resilience and purpose. I see it like training for higher altitudes – elevation training means using the small but challenging moments in your day to build the resilience you need for a fulfilling, balanced life. Physically, it can be as simple as moving your body mindfully instead of scrolling social media mindlessly, calling a friend instead of binge eating, or crying your heart out and feeling your emotions without numbing them. Mentally, it can be pushing past your perceived ‘ceiling’ of what you believe your story to be – whether by setting healthy boundaries or by summoning the courage to say ‘no’ when it’s hard.
Spiritually, elevation training can be about trusting your journey, even without having all the answers, carving out time to do practices that strengthen your spirit, and filling your cup before you head out into the world every day. With every stretch, I strengthen my inner resolve, making it easier to stay grounded under life’s pressures. This idea may be simple, but it’s transformative, and a fun phrase to use as a reminder! Every time we’re met with something tough, we’re at an elevation point, ready to grow and climb higher. Embrace these moments in 2025. They’re all part of a life that radiates wellness; and over time, you’ll find yourself more fulfilled and more balanced.
Melissa Smith, Registered Counsellor
As a mental health practitioner, my best advice is to prioritise self-awareness and self-care. In a world where stressors abound, understanding yourself is essential. Self-awareness helps you recognise patterns, triggers and emotions, which allows you to respond to situations in a way that supports your well-being, rather than reacting impulsively. Take the time to reflect on your thoughts and feelings regularly. Journaling, mindfulness, and talking openly with trusted friends or a counsellor are powerful ways to enhance self-awareness. Self-awareness is the first step to transformation, yet it’s often overlooked. The foundation for how others treat you is rooted in the relationship you have with yourself. Another critical piece of advice: set and maintain healthy boundaries.
Boundaries help you protect your energy and mental space, so you don’t become overwhelmed or burnt out. Whether it’s work, family, or social commitments, it’s okay to say no when you need time for yourself. Recognise that boundaries are not selfish – they are a necessary act of self-respect that allows you to show up fully for the things and people that matter. But don’t underestimate the importance of reaching out for help. Mental health is a journey, and no one has to go through it alone. Whether it’s confiding in a friend, joining a support group or seeking therapy, connecting with others can provide valuable insights, comfort, and guidance. Everyone has struggles; seeking support is a strength, not a weakness.
Lastly, cultivate a growth mindset. Embrace setbacks as learning opportunities, and stay open to change. Life’s challenges often hold valuable lessons, and viewing them as growth opportunities can empower you to overcome them. Remember, mental health is a daily commitment; by staying proactive and nurturing yourself, you can build resilience, manage stress, and enjoy a more fulfilling life.
Dhashni Naidoo, Consumer Education Programme Manager, FNB
Managing credit, and knowing the difference between debt review and debt consolidation. Access to credit can unlock many opportunities – like starting a side hustle, renovating your home, or even furthering your studies. However, it’s important to emphasise the need to understand and consider some key things before committing to any form of credit with any financial service provider.
Let’s take a quick step back and define what credit is: credit is an agreement to borrow money or buy goods or services with the promise to pay for it later, with interest. Interest, on the other hand, can have two meanings – it is the money that you can earn when you put your money into a savings account, or it is the money that you pay for using credit to ‘borrow’ money. This means a credit provider (such as a bank/financial institution or store) will charge you an additional amount for borrowing or buying goods on credit. In addition to the interest, there may be other fees, such as admin or service fees and initiation fees. These fees are known as the cost of credit, or cost of borrowing.
Whether in times of economic uncertainty or not, consumers are advised to equip themselves with the right information when it comes to financial literacy and wellness. This is especially important when it comes to credit – including understanding the difference between debt review and debt consolidation. It’s especially important for those consumers who are drowning in debt on their credit cards, store cards, personal loans, home loans and vehicle loans.
The National Credit Regulator (NCR) recently flagged a worrying new trend: some debt counsellors place unsuspecting South African consumers under debt review without their full knowledge of what the process entails or the long-term implications. These debt counsellors often call consumers and offer irresistible cuts to the interest or instalments they pay on their credit accounts or loans. Sometimes, these debt counsellors even claim to be calling from or working with the NCR.
However, they are often misleading about how they propose to ‘solve’ your debt problems, deceiving vulnerable consumers into entering a process called debt review – often reserved for people in severe financial difficulty, and close to bankruptcy. It’s important to know that once you’re under debt review, you can no longer enter into further credit until the debt review application entered on your behalf is rejected by the debt counsellor or by the Magistrate’s Court, or until all your debt obligations are fully settled.
While debt review can have a positive impact on your financial well-being and credit profile, it can also have a negative impact, with long-term implications on your ability to take up new credit. Debt consolidation, on the other hand, is a process offered by banks, allowing consumers to consolidate the debt held with various credit providers into one manageable debt that they can pay off. Debt consolidation can lead to better control and financial relief for the consumer. Used correctly, debt consolidation can be a powerful money management tool, as it also enables you to avoid dealing with numerous creditors who charge varied interest rates.
At FNB, we cannot overstate the importance of being well-informed about this worrying new trend; being informed about the difference between debt review and debt consolidation; and realising the importance of reaching out to your bank for the best options available to you when it comes to managing debt.
Furthermore, we also urge consumers not to borrow more than they need and overly extend themselves; but to borrow responsibly, for essential financial needs.
Dr Bavi Vythilingum, Netcare Akeso Kenilworth Psychiatrist
Strength Training
“Recent research has shown that strength training, in particular for older women, is as important for mental health as it is for physical health. Every woman, regardless of their age, shape or size, should do some form of strength training. The emphasis should be on the goal of being strong, rather than slim.”
Lekutla Mphahlele, Netcare Akeso Gqeberha Occupational Therapist
Rest, sharing and moderation
“Often, people report tiredness and general fatigue early in the new year because they could not rest during the festive season. It’s important to prioritise rest, and for families to delegate tasks and collaborate on daily activities – cooking, cleaning, etc. This creates an opportunity for families to bond and connect. Individuals should also be mindful that alcohol and other recreational substances could lead to negative consequences that could impact their quality of life. Reach for professional help if you are finding it difficult to put harmful habits aside.”
Megan Gonsalves, Netcare Akeso Crisis Line and Marketing Manager
Prioritisation and learning
“My best advice for 2025 would be to prioritise what’s important to you to give yourself the best year you’ve ever had. Whether that’s setting boundaries, or opening yourself up to deeper connections – doing whatever is within your control to make 2025 your best year yet. Also, strive to learn from any challenges that arise, to better yourself in the year ahead.”
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