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12 October 2020
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Story Arina Engelbrecht
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Photo Supplied
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
Deadline for written submissions extended to 12:00 on Wednesday 15 November 2017
2017-11-08
Deadline for written submissions extended: Investigation/review into the handling of student protests on the Bloemfontein and Qwaqwa campuses by private security companies during october 2017.
A panel, consisting of Mr Ashraf Mahomed and Ms Nomfundo Walaza, has been appointed by the University of the Free State (UFS) to investigate/review the handling of student protests on the Bloemfontein and Qwaqwa Campuses by private security companies during October 2017.
Mr Ashraf Mahomed is an attorney and director at Ashraf Mahomed Attorneys in Cape Town. He specialises in constitutional law, administrative law, public law, alternative dispute resolution (including mediation, arbitration, negotiation and facilitation), and land reform law. Mr Mahomed serves as a board member of the Dullah Omar Institute (DOI) for Constitutional Law, Governance and Human Rights at the University of the Western Cape, as well as the Tshisimani Centre for Activist Education. He recently completed his second term as President of the Cape Law Society (CLS).
Ms Nomfundo Walaza is a clinical psychologist who has worked in the human rights field for the past two decades. For the past nine years, she has served as the CEO of the Desmond Tutu Peace Centre and also served for 11 years as the Executive Director of the Trauma Centre for Survivors of Violence and Torture in Cape Town. Ms Walaza is currently the Executive Director of PeaceSystems – a civil-society organisation that supports the development of sustainable institutions and systems that prevent, manage, and resolve conflict in African societies.
This is an independent panel, which was requested by the Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS on behalf of the UFS Executive, and supported by the President of the Central Student Representative Council on behalf of the student body.
Submissions by students and staff are awaited and can be submitted as follows:
1. Written submissions
The deadline for written submissions has been extended to 12:00 on Wednesday 15 November 2017. Submissions can be sent to news@ufs.ac.za.
2. Oral submissions
The panel will visit the campuses as follows to receive oral submissions:
Bloemfontein Campus:
Monday 13 November 2017
Time: 09:00-17:00
Venue: SRC Chambers, Steve Biko Building
Kindly confirm attendance of the sessions by contacting Ms Rochelle Ferreira at +27 51 401 9808 or FerreiraR1@ufs.ac.za by 14:00 on Friday 10 November 2017.
Qwaqwa Campus:
Tuesday 14 November 2017
Time: 09:00-17:00
Venue: Senate Hall, Intsika Building
Kindly confirm attendance of the sessions by contacting Ms Thabile Zuma at +27 58 718 5094 or ZumaMT@ufs.ac.za by 14:00 on Friday 2017.
Enquiries can be directed to Mr JC van der Merwe at vdmjc@ufs.ac.za.
Released by:
Lacea Loader (Director: Communication and Brand Management)
Telephone: +27 51 401 2584 | +27 83 645 2454
Email: news@ufs.ac.za | loaderl@ufs.ac.za
Fax: +27 51 444 6393