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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

Lotto Sculpture-on-Campus Project takes off
2010-09-23

Noriah Mabasa, Unity is power: Let us be united (2010), fig wood, 3200 x 1700 x 1400 mm.

 

arwi Ragimana, Baboon (2010), African wattle wood, 1150x3400x1100mm.


 

The philosophers’ circle.

 A year ago the University of the Free State (UFS) received a grant from the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund (NLDTF) to implement a project that has allowed the UFS to commission artists to create a number of sculptures for the Main Campus in Bloemfontein. 

 The planning for the project is at an advanced stage and the university looks forward to the installation of the first sculptures in October 2010.

 Renowned Venda artist Noriah Mabasa has created a three-metre-high wooden sculpture, “Unity is power: Let us be united”, to be placed outside the new computer laboratory near the UFS Sasol Library. The work consisting of several grouped figures celebrating the coming together of many diverse people.

 Another artist from Venda, Azwifarwi Ragimana, has been working in collaboration with Gallery 181 in Johannesburg to produce sculptural benches for the garden behind the West Block.

 Local artists are also involved in this initiative: Jaco Spies, lecturer in the Department of Fine Arts, as well as ceramist Dina Grobler and artists from the Tshiamo Art and Crafts Project will be working on a mosaic at the site of the eight concrete balls at the West Block, known as the “philosophers” circle.’ The project will continue next year and we can expect works from leading South African artists such as Willem Boshoff, Willie Bester and Pat Mautloa. 

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