FUN, EFFECTIVE TIPS FOR MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

AS 2025 comes to a close, many South Africans are dealing with exam stress, year-end deadlines, and the challenge of managing it all.

- VUYILE MADWANTSI

Fatigue, brain fog and irritability are now common topics, showing that burnout could be close.

October is Mental Health Awareness Month, reminding us that self-care is essential, not optional.

To unpack this, Independent Media Lifestyle spoke to wellness coach Duduetsang Phele, from the hit Mzansi Magic reality series Lose It or Lose Me.

She shared practical tips to help you maintain equilibrium in the chaos, prioritise your mental health, and even get moving with fun summer fitness ideas.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), burnout is now officially recognised as an occupational phenomenon linked to chronic workplace stress. Its symptoms include exhaustion, reduced efficiency and emotional detachment.

Importantly, it’s not just the workplace at fault; students, parents and anyone juggling multiple responsibilities can also experience it.

“Some common signs of fatigue or burnout include losing interest in activities, struggling to concentrate, and feeling more impatient than usual. Your body is always sending signals, and ignoring them only makes the crash harder,” Phele said.

Her advice is simple: pay attention to the small things. If you're skipping meals, constantly tired or snapping at loved ones, it’s time to pause and reset.