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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 management closes down all three campuses on 21 October 2015
2015-10-20
The management of the University of the Free State (UFS) has decided to close down all three its campuses on Wednesday 21 October 2015.
This means that academic activities on undergraduate level will not take place and administrative services will be unavailable on the Bloemfontein, Qwaqwa and South Campuses. However, essential services such as IT, Protection Services, laboratories that cannot be left unattended, and the switchboard will be available.
This afternoon the UFS management and the Central Student Representative Council (CSRC) met on the Bloemfontein Campus to discuss fee increases for 2016. Protesting students outside the Main Building moved outside the main gate onto Nelson Mandela Avenue. The South African Police Services (SAPS) dispersed these students and the university’s Protection Services is in control of the situation on campus. All residences are being monitored and we are ensuring that all students on campus are safe. Management is still engaging with the CSRC to find a feasible and responsible response to students’ demand.
Students staying on the campuses and staff performing essential services will be able to access the campuses tomorrow.
Continuance of the academic programme and writing of tests?
Following the closing down of all three campuses today - which means that academic activities are not taking place - the management of the University of the Free State (UFS) kindly request that students should contact their lecturer(s) for further information if they have tests scheduled. Academic information is also available on Blackboard. Please remember that the announcement of module marks by departments on the Bloemfontein and Qwaqwa Campuses is on Friday 23 October 2015 and that the main end-of-year examinations commences on Monday 26 October 2015.