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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
Prof. Gert van Zyl, chairman of COHSASA Board
2010-10-22
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| Prof. Gert van Zyl |
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Prof. Gert van Zyl, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of the Free State (UFS), was recently elected as the new Chairman of the Board of the Council for Health Service Accreditation of Southern Africa (COHSASA).
Prof. Van Zyl has been Head of the School of Medicine at the university since 2001 and acting Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences since August 2009. He is an expert in family medicine, community-health and health-professions education. He is also the Deputy Chairperson of the Universitas Private Hospital doctors’ group in Bloemfontein and a member of the Board of the Kimberley Hospital.
Prof. Van Zyl also serves on the Council of the SA Medical Association’s branch in the Free State. He also lectures undergraduate and postgraduate courses at the UFS School of Medicine.
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