But are South Africans making safe health choices?
As economic uncertainty, geopolitical instability, climate change and rapid technological disruption continue to reshape daily life, health experts say self-care is evolving from a wellness trend into the tool to use to protect their physical and mental wellbeing.
“We are carrying demanding careers, family responsibilities, financial pressure, uncertainty and the constant noise of a world that rarely switches off – and somewhere along the way, our own health often falls to the bottom of the list,” says Kelly Widdop, Consumer Health Cluster Division Head for Bayer in Sub-Saharan Africa.
“That is where self-care becomes so important. It is not an indulgence; it is an essential part of how we build healthier lives and more resilient communities.”
Globally, stress, anxiety, and burnout are on the rise. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that depression and anxiety cost the global economy approximately US$1 trillion every year in lost productivity, while 12 billion working days are lost annually because of poor mental health. Job insecurity, financial pressure, rising living costs, and increasingly demanding work environments are all contributing to growing psychological strain.
Against this backdrop, healthcare professionals are encouraging people to focus on the aspects of their health they can control through sustainable self-care habits and informed healthcare decisions.
“The world is changing faster than ever before,” says Dr Renissa Naidoo, Consumer Health Medical Lead for South East Africa at Bayer. “Whether it is the cost-of-living crisis, climate change, changing patterns of disease or uncertainty in the workplace, these factors can all affect our mental and physical wellbeing. While we cannot control many of these external pressures, we can control the daily decisions that help build resilience.”
Climate change itself has become an increasingly significant health concern. Beyond its well-documented physical effects, the WHO warns that climate-related events such as extreme heat, floods, droughts and displacement are placing growing pressure on mental health, increasing anxiety, trauma and chronic stress for millions of people worldwide.
Small habits, significant health benefits
Research consistently shows that healthy daily routines play a critical role in preventing disease and improving long-term wellbeing.
Simple behaviours include:
- Eating balanced, nutritious meals, and including suitable supplements as needed/ guided by a medical professional.
- Exercising regularly.
- Maintaining healthy sleep habits.
- Proactively managing stress.
- Seeking professional medical advice when symptoms persist.
These all contribute to stronger immune function, improved mental wellbeing, and a lower risk of developing chronic disease. However, an estimated 75% of South African adults have poor diet quality, with only 12.5% meeting recommended dietary guidelines, according to the South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. This means 3 out of 4 South Africans do not eat a well-balanced diet. The reasons vary, but low incomecan lead to poor food choices and, in turn, suboptimal micronutrient status. Cost constraints have been shown to decrease the proportion of fruits, vegetables, meat and dairy products in the diet and increase the proportion of cereals, sweets and added fats.
“Self-care is often misunderstood as an occasional indulgence,” says Dr Naidoo. “In reality, it is about making consistent, evidence-based decisions that support both physical and mental health over time. The small choices we make every day have a cumulative impact on our long-term wellbeing.”
The hidden health risk of counterfeit medicines
However, health experts, including those at Bayer, caution that self-care extends beyond healthy habits. It also includes making informed decisions about where healthcare products are purchased and whether they are clinically and scientifically approved.
The rapid expansion of online shopping and e-commerce has made healthcare products more accessible than ever before. Unfortunately, it has also created new opportunities for counterfeit and substandard medicines to enter the market.
According to the WHO, more than one in 10 medicines circulating in low- and middle-income countries are estimated to be substandard or falsified. These products may contain the wrong ingredients, incorrect dosages or no active ingredients at all, potentially leading to health complications. For consumers, this makes purchasing medicines, vitamins and supplements from reputable pharmacies, licensed retailers and trusted healthcare providers more important than ever.
“When consumers purchase healthcare products from legitimate, trusted sources, they are helping ensure those products meet the appropriate quality standards and have been correctly stored, transported and dispensed,” explains Dr Naidoo. “That confidence is an important part of effective self-care.”
Building resilience starts with informed choices
As South Africans continue to navigate economic uncertainty and an increasingly complex health landscape, experts believe that self-care is becoming less about reacting to illness and more about proactively protecting long-term health.
From adopting healthier lifestyles to making informed purchasing decisions, the choices consumers make every day can have a meaningful impact on their resilience and quality of life.
“In an increasingly uncertain world, self-care is no longer a luxury – it is an essential investment in long-term health and wellbeing,” concludes Dr. Naidoo. “By building sustainable healthy habits and ensuring healthcare products are purchased from trusted sources, South Africans can take practical steps to protect themselves and their families.”
