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12 October 2020 | Story Arina Engelbrecht | Photo Supplied
Arina Engelbrecht
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

News Archive

Mandela Day Vryfees concert aims to impress
2014-07-15

This year we celebrate Mandela Day with musical flair at the Vryfees. Well-known artists will give freely of their time and talent as part of their 67 minutes to help raise funds for the University of the Free State’s (UFS) No Student Hungry programme (NSH).

The UFS NSH Mandela Day Tribute Concert boasts artists such as Mathys Roets, Navi Redd, Corneil Muller, 3 x A Lady, Jacobus Silver and the 2014 Stage Door winners, the Akasia Ser Group. Performances ranging from the warm acoustic guitar and vocals of Mathys Roets, to the energetic a cappella medley of Navi Redd, promise to captivate and entertain the audience.

Angelo Mockie and Tonderai Chiyindiko, renowned for their excellent directing in numerous productions, are proud supporters of the NSH programme and hereby invite you to celebrate one of our country's most inspiring icons while helping us help our students. All of the concert proceeds will be donated to the NSH programme.

The NSH programme was initiated in 2011 by Prof Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the University of the Free State, and Rudi Buys, Dean of Student Affairs. The bursary is awarded on the basis of financial need, good academic performance, active participation in student life programmes and a commitment to serving the community. 
 
Buy your tickets at Computicket or at the Vryfees ticket office on the Bloemfontein Campus.

UFS NSH Mandela Day Tribute Concert
Date: 19 July 2014
Venue: Odeion, Bloemfontein Campus
Time: 15:00
Cost: R110

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