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12 October 2020 | Story Arina Engelbrecht | Photo Supplied
Arina Engelbrecht
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

News Archive

Faculty of Law celebrates 100 years with young legal practitioners
2009-03-17

 
The Kovsie Law Alumni recently presented a centenary breakfast for young legal practitioners from the Faculty of Law at the University of the Free State (UFS). The faculty celebrates hundred years of legal education this year. Judge Corné van Zyl was the guest of honour at this occasion. “Grab every opportunity with courage and believe in your own potential,” was her advice to the group of young alumni. At the occasion, with the biggest number of young legal practitioners who recently completed their studies in the history of the faculty were, from the left, front: Judge Van Zyl, Prof. Johan Henning, Dean of the Faculty of Law; back: Mr Charles Moller, clerk at Horn and Van Rensburg Attorneys, Adv Corrie Ploos van Amstel, Chairperson of the Kovsie Law Alumni, Mr Lawrence Manye, pupil at the Bar, and Mr Jan-Harm Steenkamp, clark at A.P. Pretorius and Partners.
Photo: Stephen Collett

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