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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 presents course on academic support for grades 10 to 12 learners
2007-07-19
The Unit for Professional Training and Service in the Behavioural Sciences (UNIBS) at the University of the Free State (UFS) will be presenting an academic support course for seven weeks from 23 July-7 September 2007 for grades 10 to 12 learners. This course develops important thinking skills which enable learners to reach their academic potential. Thinking skills include reading and learning skills.
These skills are also referred to as study reading skills. Study reading skills are important if learners want to improve their academic performance and plan to study at higher education institutions later in their lives. The cost of the seven-week course is R 830.00. Academic performance opens up opportunities such as applying for selection courses as well as applying for bursaries at higher education institutions. For more information and reservations, please contact Ms Rika Oosthuizen at UNIBS, telephone number 051 4012775 during office hours. The course will be presented at UNIBS on the Main Campus in Bloemfontein.