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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

Kovsies included in national team for 2015 World Cup in Australia

2015-06-30

Karla Mostert
Photo: Johan Roux

The success of netballers Adele Niemand (former Kovsie) and Karla Mostert (captain of the Kovsie netball team) continues - they represent Kovsies, the provincial Crinums, as well as the national SPAR Proteas as goal-keeper and goal defender, respectively. The UFS is also very proud of their inclusion in the national team for the upcoming 2015 World Cup in Australia.

On 6 June 2015, Niemand and Mostert played for the Free State Crinums, who overpowered the Gauteng Jaguars in the Brutal Fruit Netball Premier League (NPL). This win secured the championship title for the Crinums for the second time in a row.

“Our aim was to improve with each game. We did this throughout the league. The final game against the Jaguars was definitely our best game, so we are very satisfied. The NPL prepared us and gave us game time, which I think, is great preparation for the Diamond Challenge,” said Mostert.

Niemand and Mostert represented South Africa at the Diamond Challenge in Margate from 14 to 18 June 2015.

Prior to the event, Burta de Kock, Head Coach of the university’s team, said, “The Diamond Challenge in Margate will be hard, because Zambia, Uganda and Malawi want to be the best in Africa. But SA has enough brilliant players to do the trick for us, and we also have a great leader as captain.”

Niemand and Mostert form part of the national squad selected for the upcoming 2015 World Cup in Australia. Kovsie Lauren-Lee Christians from the UFS is the only non-travelling substitute for the World Cup. In their group, the team will compete from 7 to 16 August 2015 against Malawi, Singapore and Sri Lanka.

For the upcoming games against the world’s best in Sydney, Niemand has set a personal goal, namely to be the best by playing every game as if it's her last, and in so doing, aims to maintain the high standard of the team.

Their coach’s words of encouragement for the World Cup are: “Just go out with passion and enjoy every second. Never forget you are our CHAMPS!!”

The SPAR Proteas have indeed proven to be champions by beating Zambië 63 - 38 in the opening match of the challenge on 16 June 2015 at the UGU Sports Centre. They continued to beat Malawi convincingly by 43 - 33, and thrashed Uganda with a score of 56 - 39 to maintain their unbeaten run. The Proteas managed to uphold their lead to the end and thereby secured the tournament trophy win a win of 40 - 35. In the first two games against Zambia and Malawi, Mostert and Niemand was respectively Player of the Match.

The UFS is also proud of Maryka Holtzhausen, a former Kovsie now captaining the Proteas. Ilze du Pisanie, also a former Kovsie, is the conditioning coach for the Proteas.

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