Matric is a demanding year, with exams, expectations and decisions about the future competing for learners’ attention. But the pressure does not end when the final paper is turned in. With youth unemployment remaining a significant challenge in South Africa, decisions about further study and career options can feel overwhelming for young people and their […]
5 ways to help your child through Matric and beyond Read More »
The final year of high school is considered one of the most defining periods in a young person’s life, as it plays a large part in determining their path and options for the future. For hundreds of thousands of students each year, this reality carries immense weight: University admissions, career paths, family expectations and societal
Managing Matric mental health: Navigating pressure with perspective Read More »
Hold My Hand has published a new free guide, Supporting Teen Identity Development: A Guide for Adults. Written in plain language, it helps parents, caregivers, teachers and mentors have insight into what teenagers are going through and how to support them through these years. The guide covers areas of adolescent development, from brain development and
Free guide helps adults support teens as they grow Read More »
When do people start taking their health seriously? For many, the answer comes after a health scare, a significant birthday or a diagnosis that affects them or someone they love. Health is often viewed as something that becomes important later in life, when problems begin to emerge. Yet, the reality is quite different. Many of
Raising a healthier generation starts today Read More »
South Africa is facing a growing sleep crisis, with research suggesting around one in 14 adults struggles with sleep disorders such as insomnia. High stress levels, environmental disruptions and excessive screen time are all contributing factors – but while modern life could be the cause, often solutions can be found in nature. “Sleep deprivation is
South Africa’s sleep crisis: Do the solutions lie in nature? Read More »
During Stress Awareness Month, attention turns to a pressing issue in South Africa’s education system: Learners face unprecedented pressure, but often lack the means to cope. What was once a manageable academic journey has become a constant balancing act. Today’s learners must juggle schoolwork, social pressures, digital distractions and growing anxiety about the future –
Inside the pressures of modern learning Read More »
South Africans are living through another cycle of sustained economic pressure as rising fuel costs continue to filter through the economy, pushing up the price of transport, food and household goods. At the same time, broader global uncertainty and ongoing geopolitical tensions are adding further worry and dread to an already financially stressful landscape for
South Africans are stressed out: The hidden health impact of a strained economy Read More »
In a world of endless notifications, relentless multitasking and constant information overload, the ability to focus is slipping through our fingers. Research suggests the human attention span has shrunk dramatically over the past two decades, with a widely cited Microsoft study putting it at just eight seconds today, down from 12 seconds in 2000. That’s
Simple rituals like tea drinking help rewire focus in a distracted world Read More »
In a world where stress, uncertainty and change have become constants, many people are searching for ways to find clarity, resilience and a deeper sense of purpose. Two approaches that have surged in popularity in recent years are therapy and life coaching. The disciplines are distinct, but often complementary tools for personal development. Understanding therapy
Life coaching or therapy? Exploring the paths to mental wellness Read More »
Your heart is pounding. Your stomach is in knots. Your shoulders feel locked in tension and exhaustion hangs over you – yet, medical tests show nothing physically wrong. For millions of South Africans, anxiety doesn’t stay confined to the mind: It shows up powerfully in the body as psychosomatic symptoms, with very real physical sensations
SA’s silent strain fuelled by growing anxiety Read More »