Happy 2025!

We hope you’ve had a relaxing and enjoyable break. As we welcome 2025, we’re looking forward to another year filled with opportunities and shared success.

It’s certainly been an eventful start worldwide, and access to healthcare remains a key topic of discussion. South Africa continues to grapple with defining the future of National Health Insurance. The World Health Organisation (WHO) issued an emergency appeal for USD 1,5 billion to aid countries facing health emergencies, while in contrast, the United States of America announced its intent to withdraw from the organisation.

Locally, the trend among private healthcare insurance providers is a heightened focus on increasing access to preventative care benefits.

I recently listened to Mel Robbin’s podcast, ‘How to Make Next Year the Best Year: Ask Yourself These 7 Questions,’ which inspired me to put together a health audit to help kickstart your health goals for the year.

Health Audit

Here are some questions you can use to reflect on your previous year:

Physical Health:

• Did I experience any major physical issues or injuries last year?
• Did I maintain a balanced diet? Were there any habits that affected my nutrition and health overall?
• How often did I exercise, and was my exercise regime sufficient to maintain or improve my fitness levels?

Mental Health:

• How did I manage stress?
• Did I have coping mechanisms that worked well?
• Did I make time for activities that brought me joy and relaxation?

Preventive Care:

• Did I go for regular check-ups, screenings and preventive tests?
• Did I follow through with recommended health screenings or treatments?
• Are there any health issues I ignored or didn’t fully address?

Habits and Lifestyle:

• Did I have any habits that I felt negatively impacted my health (e.g. smoking, excessive alcohol)?
• Was I able to maintain a healthy work-life balance?
• Did I spend enough time in nature or engage in social activities to support my well-being?

Maximising Healthcare Insurance Benefits:

• Did I fully utilise the benefits offered by my healthcare insurance (e.g. preventive and, screening benefits, prescriptions, mental health support)?
• Were there any medical services I paid for out-of-pocket that could have been covered by insurance?

Planning for the year ahead

Goals:

• What health goals do I want to achieve this year (e.g. weight loss, muscle gain, mental health improvement)?
• Are there any specific health challenges I want to focus on or prevent (e.g. managing chronic conditions, improving sleep quality)?
• What new healthy habits do I want to establish (e.g. eating more vegetables, regular workouts)?

Physical Health:

• What steps can I take to prevent physical issues or injuries? (e.g. strengthening exercise or enhanced safety precautions)
• How can I make exercise a regular part of my routine?
• How can I stay active even on busy days?

Nutrition:

• Are there any changes I want to make in my diet (e.g. cutting back on sugar, reducing processed food)?
• How can I plan meals and snacks ahead of time to make healthier choices?
• Should I consider consulting with a nutritionist or trying new eating habits?

Mental Health:

• What strategies can I use to manage stress better this year?
• How can I set aside more time for self-care and relaxation?
• How can I stay connected with loved ones or build a support system to help with emotional well-being?

Preventative Care:

• Are there any medical check-ups or preventive screenings I should schedule this year?
  TIP: Check with your healthcare insurance provider/ financial advisor for a detailed benefit brochure so you understand what benefits you can access.
• How can I stay more proactive in scheduling and following through with my healthcare appointments this year?
• Is there a particular health concern I need to focus on (e.g. managing hypertension and cholesterol levels)?

Habits and Lifestyle:

• What changes can I make to break unhealthy habits or replace them with positive ones?
• How can I work on achieving a better work-life balance this year?
• What can I do this year to connect with nature or others more often to boost my mental health (e.g. going for weekly walks or attending social events)?

Maximising Healthcare Insurance Benefits:

• How can I better understand and maximise my healthcare insurance benefits this year?
• How can I avoid unnecessary out-of-pocket expenses (e.g. being more mindful of network providers, referral requirements, and benefit limits)?

TIP: Review your benefits with your financial advisor and request detailed benefit brochures from your service provider.

It Is Always a Wise Decision to Invest in Your Health.

Prioritising physical and mental well-being can help reduce the risk of chronic illnesses and improve your quality of life. It’s an investment that pays dividends in terms of feeling better, staying active, and enjoying life to the fullest.