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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
Quantity Surveying student receives prestigious award
2012-09-14
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Michael van der Merwe (right) receives the award from Mr Murtala A. Olodapo, Chairman of ICEC.
Photo: Supplied.
14 September 2012 |
Michael van der Merwe, a student from the Department of Quantity Surveying and Construction Management, has been awarded the Kenneth K. Humphreys award. The award is for the most outstanding article in the field of quantity surveying written by a student or young practitioner of a member association of the International Cost Engineering Council (ICEC), for 2010-2012.
The award was presented at a special prize-giving ceremony during the ICEC’s eighth World Congress. The theme of the congress, which was held in Durban, was “Cost Engineering, Project Management and Quantity Surveying”.
This is the most prestigious international award of its kind and Michael is the second student from this department to receive the award since 2008.
Jaco Pieterse, another student from the department, received an honorary mention for his article in the field of project management.