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Being physically active and mentally well

12 October 2020 | Story Arina Engelbrecht | Photo Supplied

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

Better education automatically leads to employment, right?

2014-07-24

The book ‘Education, Economy and Society’, by Salim Vally and Enver Motala, is about to be launched on the Bloemfontein Campus. The Institute for Reconciliation and Social Justice will be hosting the event.

"In South Africa and elsewhere there exists an unquestioning acceptance of simplistic claims related to the link between education and economic growth and that more and better education and training will automatically lead to employment," states a quote from the cover of the book.

The contributors to this book systematically challenge these assumptions and set out the basis for an alternative vision. This vision embraces a much broader valuing of knowledge and skills that lead to an inclusive and transformed society. They also put forward different approaches to understanding the connections between education, unemployment, inequality and poverty.

‘Education, Economy and Society’ rigorously critiques conventional wisdom and offers a revised version of the relationship between education and society.

The public is welcome to attend the book launch.

Date: Friday 25 July 2014
Time: 14:00 – 15:30
Venue: DF Malherbe House, the Institute for Reconciliation and Social Justice, Bloemfontein Campus
RSVP: vannestel@ufs.ac.za

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