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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
Nominations for Kovsie Alumni Awards now open
2009-06-25
It is once again time to nominate candidates for the University of the Free State’s (UFS) three Kovsie Alumni Awards made annually.
Nominations can be made for the Kovsie Alumnus of the Year Award, Cum Laude Award and the Alumni Award for Exceptional Service to the UFS. The Kovsie Alumnus of the Year Award honours the outstanding achievements of a Kovsie alumnus at national or international level. The person must still be alive. From time to time, the Cum Laude Award is bestowed on an alumnus for outstanding service or achievement at regional, national or international level in his/her field of work. The Alumni Award for Outstanding Service to the UFS is awarded to any person (not necessarily an alumnus) who delivered exceptional service to the University from time to time.
Nominations should contain the following:
1. Any alumnus can submit a written nomination for the above-mentioned awards.
2. At least five alumni seconders must support the nomination.
3. A comprehensive motivation and a brief curriculum vitae of the candidate must accompany the nomination.
4. The candidate’s complete address and telephone number must also be provided.
Nominations can be submitted to Ms Annanda Calitz, Alumni Awards, PO Box 2319 Bloemfontein, 9300 or 086 523 5108 or ficka.stg@ufs.ac.za. The closing date for submission of nominations is 24 July 2009. The Awards Dinner will take place on 4 September 2009.
Media Release
Lacea Loader
Assistant Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@ufs.ac.za
24 June 2009