What can an age-old South African cooking pot teach us about topping up our own wellbeing reserves? Claire Hartshorne, a Counselling Psychologist at Teladoc Health UK, uncovers the answer in her article below.
The potjie is a three-legged, cast-iron pot that Dutch settlers brought to the Cape in the 1700s. Ever since, it has united South Africa’s richly diverse communities around open fires and braais (barbecues). Slow-cooked stews bubble away for hours while friends and families laugh, share stories, and—crucially—take turns tending the embers. Each September, National Braai Day sees entire neighbourhoods competing to create the tastiest potjie, from fragrant vegetarian curries to hearty seafood chowders.
But ask any potjie master, and they’ll tell you that delicious results demand patience and care. The fire must be coaxed, ingredients layered thoughtfully, and the pot watched so it never dries out or burns. Ignore it for a short while, and you’re left with a charred, empty shell—and a hungry crowd.
That venerable cooking pot is a powerful metaphor for our mental health. All of us carry an internal potjie—a reservoir of physical, emotional, and psychological resources that fuels our ability to nurture others. Parents, partners, carers, colleagues, and friends all draw from it daily.
Yet, in the rush of modern UK life, many of us forget to refill our pot:
When our inner potjie runs dry, stress and burnout soon follow. Anxiety, irritability, low mood, and physical fatigue are the scalded remnants left clinging to the bottom of the pot.
| Habit | How to Stir Your Potjie Daily | Why It Works |
| Micro-breaks | 60-second pauses every hour: stand, stretch, breathe. | Lowers stress hormones and boosts focus. |
| Move with purpose | A brisk 10-minute walk, a living-room yoga flow, or dancing while the kettle boils. | Releases endorphins and clears mental fog. |
| Digital “braai” circle | Video-call a friend, join an online hobby group, or schedule a virtual coffee. | Social connection buffers against anxiety and depression. |
| Mindful moments | Notice the aroma of your tea, the weight of your phone in your hand, or the sound of birds outside. | Anchors you in the present, reducing rumination. |
| Sleep hygiene | Dim screens an hour before bed, keep the bedroom cool and consistent. | Restorative sleep literally refills cognitive and emotional reserves. |
Top tip: Add one new ingredient at a time. Sustainable change beats a dramatic overhaul that fizzles like a poorly tended campfire.
Sometimes, despite our best efforts, life’s demands scorch the stew. That is when professional support matters. Through Teladoc Health UK, your employees or members can:
Their mental health is as worthy of hands-on, compassionate attention as any prize-winning potjie.
An invitationEvery day, block ten minutes in your calendar, silence notifications, and ask:
“What nourishing ingredient can I add to my pot today?”
Maybe it’s a walk in fresh air, three songs danced in the kitchen, or turning thirty minutes early with a book. Whatever you choose, protect that time as fiercely as a potjie chef guards their secret spice mix.
A thriving potjie feeds villages; a thriving you uplifts families, teams, and communities. By tending your inner pot—layer by layer, day by day, you’ll have plenty to share and a far lower chance of burning out.
Take a breath. Pick up your ladle. Let’s get cooking.
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