As South Africa sheds its winter layers and steps into brighter, longer days, spring offers more than just a chance to tidy up our homes—it’s an ideal moment to refresh our health and renew our well-being.
“Spring naturally brings a sense of renewal—we’re more energised, the days are brighter, and it’s easier to get outdoors,” says Tania Joffe, founder of Unu Health. “The effects are really profound, from increased Vitamin D production, to metabolic support as sunlight improves blood sugar regulation, blood pressure and overall cardiovascular health to being mood enhancing and even reducing – longer days, and more sun are a tonic”
Spring has sprung in most parts of South Africa. The seasonal shift from the winter flu surge into spring offers a prime opportunity for preventative health checks, potentially catching silent conditions—like high blood pressure or elevated blood sugar—before they escalate.
According to the World Health Organisation[i] non-communicable diseases—such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer—account for nearly half of all deaths in South Africa. With around 42.2% of South Africans having hypertension, 10.6% experiencing elevated blood sugar, and 34% having high cholesterol. One in four adults is obese, and more than half are overweight. Which is then no surprise that over 4.2 million South Africans are diabetic, a figure projected to nearly double to 7.4 million by 2045. Diabetes is now the leading cause of death among women and the second in the general population. Alarmingly, nearly half of diabetics remain undiagnosed.
These figures emphasise why routine health checks matter—especially in spring, when we’re poised to make positive, lasting changes.
“Taking a little time now can pay off hugely later, because good health should never be a privilege; it should be a right,” says Joffe.
Your Spring Health-Check Checklist should include:
- Basic Screening: Check blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, BMI.
- Mental Wellness: Spring transitions can impact mood and stress—take a look at how much sleep you are getting, check your stress levels, and mental health.
- Nutrition: Look at how you are eating and make sure you are including fresh produce and whole foods as far as possible – nutrient rich meals rather than calorie rich
- Exercise: Start or recommit to activity—be it walking, biking, or exploring nearby natural spots.
- Set Realistic Goals: Define small, achievable health targets for the months ahead.
Experts say new habits introduced during life or seasonal transitions are more likely to stick—and spring’s fresh-start energy is a more inviting alternative to ambitious New Year’s pledges. Introducing a new habit in the morning sees a 43% higher success rate, which when supported by a deliberate plan further improves success by up to 64%. Motivation is key – getting a baseline set of data against which you set a clear goal, will clinch it.
“This isn’t about perfection,” Joffe adds. “It’s about making small, meaningful changes that fit your life—and starting now, when nature itself is on your side.”
For more information, please visit http://www.unuhealth.org