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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
Charles Darwin lecture series
2009-02-26
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You are hereby cordially invited to attend the Charles Darwin lecture series entitled "The Story of Life and Survival". This series of lectures is aimed to celebrate Charles Darwin's 200 year birthday and the 150 year anniversary of his publication "On the Origin of Species". The event is celebrated around the world, and the UFS is the only local university to participate on this scale.
The presentation is on 26 February at 18h00 in the Wynand Mouton Theatre, and Prof. Marian Tredoux and mr. Johan Loock will present lectures entitled "The Origin of our Solar System” and “The Geological Evolution of our Planet: The First Billion Years".
Light refreshments will be served after the lectures.
If you would like to attend, please send an e-mail to Rina Immelman not later than Monday 23rd February at immelmce@ufs.ac.za
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