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12 October 2020
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Story Arina Engelbrecht
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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
Alumni are invited to the Distinguished Alumni Award ceremony and Chancellor’s luncheon
2015-07-28
Outstanding alumni to be celebrated at the Chancellor’s luncheon on 29 August 2015.
The University of the Free State (UFS) is excited to be hosting its alumni on the Bloemfontein Campus from 28 to 29 August during Reunion Weekend 2015. In addition to semi-structured social events designed to bring together classmates from similar eras, an anchor event for the weekend will be the Chancellor’s Distinguished Alumni Award Luncheon.
The Chancellor’s Distinguished Alumni Award begins a tradition that honours excellent alumni who exemplify superior academic and/or human achievement. Recipients will embody the spirit of a transformed, inclusive society, and the modernised intent of the UFS.
A maximum of three (3) awards will be designated annually. This inaugural slate of recipients will set the tone for future entrants into this community of accomplished alumni. Nominations were accepted until 24 July 2015 from the university and alumni constituencies.
The Rectorate-endorsed awardees will be announced and celebrated at the Chancellor’s Distinguished Alumni Award Luncheon, which will be held on Saturday 29 August 2015 at 12:00 in the Centenary Complex. Click here to purchase your tickets, the proceeds of which will go to the No Student Hungry Bursary Programme.
Please visit the alumni website for additional information about the weekend’s activities.
More articles about the #UFSReunion15:
UFS to host alumni from across the globe during Reunion Weekend 2015 – 28 to 29 August 2015