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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
UFS did well at the KKNK
2007-04-13
The Sanlam prizes for Afrikaans Theatre (SPAT) for new stage productions were recently awarded at the Absa Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees (KKNK) in Oudtshoorn. Lewensreg, a stage production of the University of the Free State (UFS), and one of the four finalists, received R100 000 for the best stage production for the second time since the inception of the KKNK. The UFS received this prize in 2005 as well. Mr Jan van Tonder, well-known novelist and writer of radio dramas, received the R20 000 award for best playwright and Prof. Nico Luwes, Departmental Chairperson of the UFS Department of Drama and Theatre Arts, was awarded the same amount as best director. The silver award in the best actor category, worth R10 000, went to Mr JP du Plessis, an Honors student in Drama at the UFS, for his role in Lewensreg. Ms Lancea Crafford, a student from the University of Stellenbosch (US), received the golden award for best actor for her role in the university’s production Die Maket.
During the award ceremony are, from the left: Ms Martie de Lange (Project Manager on behalf of Sanlam), Messrs Du Plessis, Rudie van Rensburg (Head: Sponsorships and Promotions at Sanlam) and Van Tonder; front: Ms Crafford and Prof. Luwes.