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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
Closing date for SRC nominations extended to 10 August 2011
2011-08-10
Statement by the Independent Elections Agency (IEA)
Yesterday (4 August 2011), the Independent Elections Agency (IEA) decided to extend the nomination period for the election of a Student Representative Council (SRC) for the University of the Free State (UFS) to Wednesday, 10 August 2011.
By 3 August 2011, several nominations had been received for the 12 elective portfolios within the week allowed for nominations. The IEA expresses its appreciation for the number of nominations already received and the general student support for the elections.
However, the IEA considers the time allowed in the elections schedule for nominations to take place as too short. In the interest of allowing as many students as possible to avail themselves for the opportunity to participate in the SRC nomination and so allowing reasonably sufficient time for greater numbers of students to participate in the process, the nomination period has been extended to 13:00 on Wednesday, 10 August 2011.
Nomination forms can be obtained from the Reception Desk at the Student Life Centre and on the Thakaneng Bridge of the university’s Bloemfontein Campus.
Media Release
10 August 2011
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Director: Strategic Communication
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail:
news@ufs.ac.za