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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
A much-needed "lift" for Psychology students and staff with disabilities
2010-06-01
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Pictured are: Mr Riekie Vickers (master's student in Psychology) and Ms Hetsie Veitch (Coordinator and Head: Unit for Students with Disabilities).
Photo: Mangaliso Radebe |
The Department of Psychology at the University of the Free State (UFS) has officially opened the new elevator installed in the Psychology Building as part of the UFS’s plan of increasing accessibility to its buildings for students and staff with disabilities. The department has approximately 40 undergraduate and postgraduate students with physical disabilities.
“Besides offices, there are classrooms and laboratories in the Psychology Building which were never accessible to these students. To train them they need access to these venues. Now the installation of this elevator makes this possible,” said Prof. Karel Esterhuyse, associate professor in the department.
Some of the latest developments on the Main Campus in this regard include:
- A new elevator for the West Block which is expected to be completed by the end of this year.
- New ramps to both entrances of the Winkie Direko Building were completed and the paving on the sidewalks adjusted to make access to the building easy.
- During the June/July holidays the classrooms and bathrooms in the Genmin Lectorium will be upgraded to improve accessibility for students and staff with disabilities.
- There are 22 new parking spaces for students and staff with disabilities all over the campus.
Media Release
Issued by: Mangaliso Radebe
Assistant Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2828
Cell: 078 460 3320
E-mail: radebemt@ufs.ac.za
1 June 2010