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12 October 2020
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Story Arina Engelbrecht
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Arina Engelbrecht from Organisational Development and Employee Well-being believes physical activity has a number of benefits for one’s health, including stress relief.
Being physically active plays a big role in preventing the development of mental-health problems and in improving the quality of life of people experiencing mental-health problems.
Treatment for depression
Physical activity can be an alternative treatment for depression. It can be used as a stand-alone treatment or in combination with medication and/or psychological therapy. It promotes all kinds of changes in the brain, including neural growth, reduced inflammation, and new activity patterns are formed that promote feelings of calm and well-being. It releases endorphins – powerful chemicals in the brain that energise your spirit and make you feel good.
Physical activity can be very effective in relieving stress. Research in adults has found that physically active individuals tend to have lower stress levels compared to individuals who are less active. It also leads to improved sleep. When a person sleeps better and feels more rested, overall quality of life improves. They cope better with daily life stressors.
Reduce Alzheimer's risk
Regular physical activity can reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer's disease by up to 50%. It can also slow down further deterioration in those who have already started to develop cognitive problems. It stimulates the brain’s ability to maintain old connections as well as to make new ones.
A study asked people to rate their mood immediately after periods of physical activity (e.g. going for a walk/run, cycling, doing housework) and periods of inactivity (e.g. reading a book or watching television). Researchers found that participants felt more content, more awake, and calmer after being physically active compared to after periods of inactivity.
In conclusion, people who are physically active feel a sense of well-being, feel more energetic throughout the day, sleep better at night, have sharper memories, and feel more relaxed and positive about themselves and their lives.
“Being physically active not only changes your body, it changes your mind,
attitude, and your mood.” – Arina Engelbrecht
UFS-NSTF winners to make presentations
2008-07-21
Staff members of the University of the Free State (UFS) who are recent winners of two prestigious National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF) awards will make presentations at the CR Swart Building on the Main Campus in Bloemfontein on 31 July 2008.
Prof Maryke Labuschagne from the Department of Plant Sciences will present a paper on “The importance of training in agriculture in Africa”. She received an award for the development of research capacity over the last ten years. She is an expert in the field of plant breeding and food security in Africa and was rewarded for her outstanding contribution to the development and training of black researchers and students.
The recipients of the other award, Prof Jan van der Westhuizen from the Department of Chemistry and Prof Kenneth Swart from FARMOVS-PAREXEL, will present a paper on “Bio-analytical chemistry”. Both are members of a team that also includes Dr Susan Bonnet from the Chemistry Department and Prof Thinus van der Merwe from FARMOVS-PAREXEL, and which received the award for innovation and outstanding contribution to science, engineering and technology by either an individual or a team over the last ten years.
The presentations will start at 11:00.
Media Release
Issued by: Mangaliso Radebe
Assistant Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2828
Cell: 078 460 3320
E-mail:
radebemt.stg@ufs.ac.za
21 July 2008