WELLNESS
BY CHARIS TORRANCE
Halfway through 2026 and already feeling like you’ ve lived a dozen lifetimes? Burnout doesn’ t wait for December, so now’ s the time to pause, reflect, and reset.
We’ re at the halfway mark of 2026, and we’ ll be honest: it’ s been a lot. It feels like we’ ve lived entire lifetimes in these first six months. Between world events, work, and life in general, we wouldn’ t blame you if you’ re feeling more tired and run down than ever. Now is the time to take a beat.
“ Mid-year reflection helps provide an opportunity to check in with ourselves,” says Mahlatse Mothogoane, an occupational therapist and Centre of Psychotherapy Excellence( COPE) manager at Netcare Akeso Polokwane.
SPOT THE SIGNS OF BURNOUT The aim of this mid-year reflection is to help identify the signs that we might be heading towards burnout. Burnout is basically what happens when your mind and body hit a wall after being under constant stress for too long.
“ Signs that you are heading for, or already experiencing, burnout may include irritability, procrastination, and prolonged exhaustion,” explains Mothogoane.“ Once we have identified any of the signs of burnout in ourselves, we have the chance to take action before the situation progresses and becomes overwhelming.”
Take notice of physical signs like headaches, digestive issues, general muscle tension, and changes in sleep patterns.“ Consider whether you are socialising less than usual, or experiencing changes in your eating habits,” adds Mothogoane.“ Decreased motivation for physical fitness activities, such as running or going to the gym, can also be an early indicator of symptoms linked to burnout.”
WHY EMOTIONAL HEALTH MATTERS Your emotional health influences not only your relationships, but also your productivity.
“ When a person is emotionally healthy, they tend to be more resilient, empathetic, and able to communicate more effectively with others. In our daily lives, this allows us to create healthier, stronger bonds and handle potential conflict more effectively,” explains Mothogoane.
According to Mothogoane, emotional health also enhances a person’ s ability to focus, as well as their creativity and motivation.“ This makes us more adaptable and better equipped to handle pressure, improving our productivity.”
It’ s not only about checking in with your physical health. We need to regularly check in with ourselves and identify our emotional needs.“ Consider what is working for you and what is not at this point in your life,” she adds.“ Prioritise self-care, set healthy boundaries, and seek support from your friends, family, and a mental health professional if needed.”
60 INBOUND SA / JUNE 2026