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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
Board of Directors of the International Institute for Development and Ethics
2006-03-17
During the recent meeting of the Board of Directors of the International Institute for Development and Ethics (IIDE), office bearers were elected and approval was granted for its conversion into a Section 21 Company. The IIDE specialises in the studying and research of general questions of developmental theory and practices and provides services and support in education, strategic planning, policy formulation, advocacy and capacity building of development agencies. The office of the IIDE in Africa is situated on the Main Campus of the UFS in Bloemfontein. The UFS is a funder of the IIDE together with the Paul Foundation and private sponsors from the Netherlands.
The IIDE in Africa's Board of Directors are from the left Mr Willem Ellis (newly elected executive officer of the IIDE) and Prof Annette Combrink (Deputy Chairperson of the IIDE in Africa and Rector of the North West University's campus in Potchefstroom). At the back from the left are Prof Lucius Botes (Director: Centre for Development Support at the UFS), Rev Kiepie Jaftha (Chairperson of the IIDE in Africa and Chief Director: Community Service at the UFS), Prof Sytse Strijbos (IIDE Europe and affiliated to the University of Amsterdam), Dr Amon Kasambala (Director: Focus on the Family, Africa) and Rev Tshililo Liphadzi (Reformed Church Chiawelo in Soweto).
Photo: Lacea Loader