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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
Mexican Ambassador visits the UFS
2007-10-31
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The Mexican Ambassador, Ambassador Luis Cabrera and Deputy Head of the Mexican Embassy in South Africa, Chancellor Miguel Malvafòn recently visited the University of the Free State's (UFS) Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences on the Main Campus in Bloemfontein. Possibilities for collaboration between the faculty and similar faculties at universities in Mexico were some of the topics that were discussed. The Ambassador also met with cactus pear researchers at the UFS and developments concerning the memorandum of understanding which was signed last year between the Centre for Plant Health Management (CePHMa) at the UFS and the University of Chapingo in Mexico were also discussed. Here are, from the left, front: Ambassador Cabrera and Prof. Herman van Schalkwyk (Dean of the UFS Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences); back: Chancellor Malvafòn and Prof. Wijnand Swart (Head of CePHMa at the UFS).
Photo: Supplied
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