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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
Varsity Hockey hits Kovsies this weekend
2014-05-08

Kovsies’ Jaco Fourie outplays Maties
Photo: Varsitysportsa.com
Kovsies started their 2014 Varsity Hockey tournament with great success last weekend at Wits University.
Our boys in red currently rank second on the tournament log and along with UJ – who ranks first – we are the only two unbeaten teams after three rounds. Kovsies ended their second round match against UJ with a draw on Sunday.
Kovsies beat NMMU 2-1 and Maties 3-1 in round one and three respectively. Rounds four to six will be hosted at the UFS Astro this weekend until Monday (10-12 May). The fixtures are as follows:
Saturday 10 May – Kovsies vs Wits at 15:15
Sunday 11 May – Kovsies vs Tuks at 16:15
Monday 12 May – Kovsies vs Rhodes University at 14:30
Supporters can get free tickets if they go unto the www.varsitysportsa.com website and register as a MEMBER to apply for free tickets. Following this registration and application tickets will be sent to supporters via email. Otherwise, tickets will cost R20 per person per day.