Mid-year wellness check: assess your mental health, finances, and wellbeing

July marks the halfway point in the year – a time when many of us are fueling our days with caffeine and living for the next long weekend. If burnout is quietly knocking at our door,  Sanlam sees mid-year as a powerful moment to reset and realign. Enter the Mid-Year Fit Check: not for your wardrobe, but for your mind, body, and bank balance.

This is the perfect time to ask yourself some tough (and tender) questions. This holistic “fit check” is about checking in with yourself and asking: Am I okay?

We know financial well-being is intricately tied to mental and physical health. If your finances are stressing you out, your sleep suffers. If you’re burnt out, you may make poor money decisions. It’s all connected. That’s why we’re encouraging people to use this moment to reflect, reset, and realign, with zero guilt and maximum self-compassion.

MIND: Mental Health + Emotional Resilience

Ask yourself:

• Am I constantly tired or emotionally drained?
• Am I checking in with myself – or just pushing through?
• Am I going it alone – or am I asking for help if I need it?

Reset Tasks:

☐ Block out one non-negotiable mental health day before the end of August

☐ Start a 3-minute daily journaling or meditation habit

☐ Book a therapy, coaching, or check-in session

☐ Unfollow three social media accounts that make you feel anxious or less-than

☐ Block out time for a daily disconnect from the ‘scroll’  

BODY: Physical Health + Preventative Care

Ask yourself:

• Have I ticked off my routine checks this year?
• Am I fuelling my body or depleting it?

Reset Tasks:

☐ Book your routine health screenings (if you haven’t already): cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar, breasts, and heart

☐ Do a mole and skin check – especially important in the South African sun

☐ Set a 20-minute walk or movement reminder in your calendar every other day

☐ Do a self-check: breasts/chest, testicles, or thyroid – based on your needs

☐ Commit to one food swap that supports your mood (e.g., less sugar, more fibre)

“I strongly encourage making general wellness check-ups a priority,” says Dr Marion Morkel, chief medical officer at Sanlam. “Too often, people wait for symptoms to present before consulting a medical professional. Let’s change that this winter by being proactive about our health. Routine check-ups and preventative care can help detect issues early and keep us healthier for longer.”

MONEY: Financial Health + Peace of Mind

Ask yourself:

• Is money my biggest source of stress?
• Do I know where my money’s going – and what I’m working toward?

Reset Tasks:

☐ Check your free credit score

☐ Start paying down one small debt – even R100/week can make a difference over time

☐ Cancel one unused subscription you’ve been meaning to let go of

☐ Try three monthly ‘No-Buy’ days where you spend nothing beyond the essentials

☐ Start a small emergency fund – even R50/week counts

☐ Check your long-term goals: Is your retirement plan still realistic? When did you last review your will?

Your financial fitness is less about how much you earn and more about how much you pay attention. Small, consistent choices create real change.

It’s not too late to turn the year around

Whether you’re on track with your 2025 goals or not, now is your chance to regroup – without guilt. Sanlam is here to support South Africans with the tools and coaching they need to build not just wealth, but wellbeing. It’s time for your mid-year fit check to take stock, be kind to yourself, and move forward.

* Hancox is the head of channel and segment marketing at Sanlam.

PERSONAL FINANCE