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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
Kovsies overthrow UJ in round four of Varsity Netball
2013-10-01
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01 October 2013
Photo: Jako Pienaar |
The University of the Free State (UFS) recorded a superb 71-36 victory over the University of Johannesburg (UJ) in their Varsity Netball match in the Callie Human Centre on the Bloemfontein Campus.
At the end of the first quarter the home side was off to a good start leading 18-11. Yet UJ recovered well hereafter to close the gap by winning the second quarter and taking over with a 28-22 lead.
However, a string of scoring just after half-time saw the UFS cruise to a comfortable 52-28 lead as they went into the final quarter, resulting in a bonus-point victory in the end. UJ could only manage eight goals in the last period as they fell short of a consolation bonus point.
Kovsies lost their first match in the Varsity Netball tournament against NWU Pukke, but recovered well by beating Tuks and TUT respectively in the following clashes. Over the next fortnight the team from the UFS will have two more Monday night match-ups in the Callie Human Centre in Bloemfontein. They will face the University of Cape Town (UCT) on the court next week, followed by Stellenbosch University (Maties) the week thereafter.