South Africans urged to set realistic goals, prioritise mental health when it comes to New Year's resolutions

CAPE TOWN - A new year often means fresh resolutions and South Africans are urged to set realistic goals, prioritising their mental health.

Jamie Elkon, a clinical psychologist, has warned that around this time of year, there are social pressures to fit in and to be out and about every day.

Elkon explains: "I think there's too much pressure to have a good time and a lot of people feel this pressure all the way through December and then they end up last minute, going to something that they don't really want to, for many people, having to deal with, to tidy up, so to speak, for the next couple of days."

Elkon also reminds South Africans to be realistic with their goals.

"To think about just setting a goal or two, to not put too much pressure on yourself, you don't actually have to do something like become a millionaire, but you might want to do things that really have some meaning to you."