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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
Racial integration at student residences at the UFS
2007-07-25
The University of the Free State (UFS) takes note of the memorandum handed to the management by representatives of the Freedom Front Plus this morning (25 July 2007) on the Main Campus in Bloemfontein.
According to the Vice-Rector: Student Affairs, Dr Ezekiel Moraka, the UFS management will thoroughly discuss the memorandum at their next meeting.
Dr Moraka said the point of departure of the new guidelines is for students to learn to embrace diversity and to develop an appreciation for the humanity of their fellow students.
As far as consultation is concerned, Dr Moraka said that the affected students and student leaders were consulted. This includes groups such as the Student Representative Council (SRC) of the Main Campus, residence primes, residence heads and student organisations such as the Freedom Front Plus Kovsies and Sasco.
It nevertheless seems that there is still no agreement on this matter and the UFS management will give attention to this.
About the integration of residences Dr Moraka said the UFS management is convinced that this decision is in the educational and career interest of students.
The management would not like to exclude interest groups. Therefore students, alumni and other interest groups can still make an input to make a success of the implementation of the guidelines.
Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@ufs..ac.za
25 July 2007