Latest News Archive
Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items
12 October 2020
|
Story Arina Engelbrecht
|
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
Spotlight on Excellence in Teaching and Learning
2012-10-30
30 October 2012
The Centre for Teaching and Learning is hosting the first Excellence in Teaching and Learning Week from 29 October to 1 November 2012 in the Centenary Complex. Some of the top academics at the university will exhibit and present their scholarly contributions in the form of presentations, short videos and electronic posters. These will form part of the academics’ entries for the Innovation awards.
Lunch-hour presentations will be held daily and speakers include Dr Liezel Nel, 2011 winner of the Vice Chancellor Teaching and Learning award, Prof. Driekie Hay, Vice Rector: Academics, Dr Francois Strydom and the UFS101 team.
On Thursday 1 November 2012, five academics will present their Scholarship of Teaching and Learning approach along with their teaching philosophies. This is done in the quest for the Vice Chancellor's Teaching and Learning award.
Personnel are encouraged to visit the Centenary complex to view the quality work of their colleagues. They can also vote for the best video or electronic poster by visiting the CTL portal at https://intranet.ufs.ac.za/sites/ctl
See programme for more details about the presentations throughout the week.