Stepping into a new year is the perfect opportunity to reset your routines and focus on your overall well-being.

Staying active, caring for your skin and hair and tending to your mental health can set the tone for a strong and balanced 2026. Experts from fitness, dermatology, haircare and mental health share practical tips, what to ditch and what to embrace this year.

Get moving – choose the right sport and workout

Understanding the differences between popular sports can help you pick the one that works best for your body. A sports dietician and the owner of East Coast Transformations, Nick Robert, and Tanya de Lange of ShapeShift Online Body Transformations explain which activities are most effective.

Padel
Padel is played on a larger, enclosed court with walls, which makes rallies longer and keeps you constantly moving. Robert and De Lange note that this combination of movement and full-body rotation means it generally burns more calories than pickleball.
• Tennis-like scoring (15–30–40)
• Longer rallies, walls involved, doubles only
• Burns more calories due to a larger court, more running, lateral movement and full-body rotation

Pickleball
Pickleball is played on an open court with a net, and its shorter, faster rallies create a different rhythm. While less calorie-intensive than padel, it is still a fun and strategic workout.
• Points only scored on serve, usually to 11
• Fast, short rallies; can be singles or doubles
• ‘Kitchen’ (non-volley zone) adds strategic rules

Most effective 20-minute workout for the time-poor

For those short on time, both experts recommend high-intensity interval training for a full-body boost.

• Full-body exercises such as squats, lunges, push-ups and planks
• Minimal rest (30 seconds or less) to maintain an elevated heart rate
• Robert’s tip: calculate max heart rate and work in 70–80% zone for fat loss and aerobic gain
• Example: age 38 → max HR 182bpm → fat loss zone 127–146bpm

Fitness fads to ditch in 2026

• Quick-fix challenges that are unsustainable in diet and training
• Intermittent fasting misused: Promotes autophagy (cellular self-cleaning and recycling), but does not mean skipping nutrients
• Endless cardio for weight loss alone; combining moderate cardio and strength training is more sustainable

Trends to embrace

• Gut health – improving gut function can support mental well-being and mood
• Functional fitness competitions such as Hyrox – combines running and workout stations; accessible and full-body challenge

Beginner tips to avoid injury

• Start slow: focus on one muscle group per day, four exercises, four sets of 12–15 reps, light cardio
• Warm up and allow recovery time
• Guidance from a dietician or reliable online resources can help

Strong bodies deserve strong skin

A simple and consistent skincare routine keeps your skin looking and feeling healthy. Specialist dermatologist Dr Claudia Ngobeni-Mkize shares bite-sized advice.

3 tips for glowing, healthy skin

• Cleanse, moisturise and protect with SPF daily
• Hydrate internally (water) and externally (serums)
• Support your skin barrier with gentle, fragrance-free products

3 skincare myths to bury

• Sunscreen is not needed on cloudy days – false
• Natural always means better – false; gentle, well-formulated products matter
• Tingling means the product is working – false; tingling can indicate irritation

Ngobeni-Mkize advises adjusting your routine seasonally, with extra SPF in summer and additional hydration in winter, and consulting a dermatologist if you have concerns.

Your hair: Ultimate style statement

Hair trends for 2026 are all about effortless looks with natural movement, shaped by fashion silhouettes. Jo-anne Gerber of Gary Rom Hairdressing Southdowns and Johan Nortjé of Isjon Intercoiffure share their insights.

Top colour trends

• Scandinavian blonde, oat milk blonde and beige blonde
• Mushroom brown, espresso with subtle caramel and natural highlights

Styling trends

• Long, flowy layers with soft movement
• Polished midi cut (collarbone bob) – flattering and low-maintenance

Expert insight from Johan Nortjé

• Hairstyles are influenced by fashion silhouettes: Loose, square lines; fuller fabrics
• Looks include uneven ends, soft layers, bouncy curls, half-up-half-down styles and bangs framing the eyes

Hair myths to bust

• Raw fruits and vegetables do not thicken the hair shaft
• Hair masks cannot fix split ends; trimming is needed
• Shaving hair does not make it thicker
• Frizzy hair should not be washed every day; one–two times per week is optimal

Hair care tips

• UV and heat protection are essential in the South African sun
• Prioritise scalp health: a healthy scalp supports stronger hair growth
• Balance protein and moisture for optimal hair health

Caring for your mind

Taking care of your mind is just as important as your body. The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (Sadag) encourages small, daily self-care habits that add up over time.

• Depression and anxiety are widespread; small daily self-care matters
• Progress is progress, even slow steps count
• Movement helps lift mood: Dance, walk, stretch or play music
• Gentle self-care includes journaling, meditation or taking a pause
• Connecting gut health (from the fitness section) with mental well-being can support overall mood

24-hour toll-free mental health helplines

• Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0800 567 567
• Cipla Mental Health Helpline: 0800 456 789 | SMS 31393
• Adcock Ingram Depression & Anxiety Helpline: 0800 70 80 90

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