MWCC health professionals’ tips for all-around fitness
By Ryan Lyesiuk
Observer Contributor
Living a healthy lifestyle is beneficial to all individuals, particularly college students seeking better overall health. Improved overall health often leads to better classroom performance, improved sleep, less anxiety, and better general mood. This is according to Jason Snoonian, Director of the Mount Wachusett Community College Fitness & Wellness Center (Mount Fitness), Katherine R. Kusza, Registered Nurse at MWCC, and Nancy Regan, staff assistant in health services at MWCC.
Inadequate sleep is the number one unhealthy habit amongst college students. Lack of sleep often makes students anxious, tired, and less motivated to study, according to Kusza. “No college students sleeps enough,” stated Kusza. Tips for improved sleep habits provided be Kusza included no technology for 3 hours before bed, avoiding caffeine after 12 p.m., keeping all electronic devices out of the bedroom and maintaining a consistent sleep pattern.
Reiki (a therapy often described as hands-on-body healing in which a trained instructor places their hands lightly on or over a patient’s body to help them heal) is another method of improved sleep according to Nancy Regan. “Reiki triggers the body’s natural healing abilities, which improves sleep,” stated Regan.
Exercise may lead to increased sleep as well, according to Snoonian. “Exercise significantly increases overall health, including better-quality sleep,” state Snoonian. Thirty minutes a day, a few days a week, is all you need to see substantial health benefits from exercise, including improved sleep habits, according to Snoonian.
Keeping the body moving whether that means playing sports, hitting the gym, or going for a walk, is essential to good overall health as well, according to Kusza. “What works for one person may not work for others,” said Kusza. Moderation is important as well; students don’t want to do too much of a new activity too fast, according to Kusza.
Where will I find the time, you might ask? Between school, work, and other obligations it can be challenging, according to Snoonian. “Four to six exercises for fifteen minutes, followed by fifteen minutes of cardio is a perfect starting point,” Snoonian stated. Gradually increasing workouts to sixty minutes maximum is a great way to approach fitness, but not needed to reap the benefits of exercise, according to Snoonian. “More than sixty minutes leads to burnout in most individuals, particularly those who are new to fitness,” Snoonian stated. Wednesday walks, every Wednesday (weather permitting), is a new idea started by Regan in the fall of 2019 to get students moving. These thrity-minute walks are geared to get students outside the walls of the campus and out into the fresh air, all while reaping the benefits of exercise at the same time, according to Regan.
“Wednesday walks focus on overall physical and mental health,” along with “incorporating healthier eating habits,” said Regan.
Finding ways to relax is essential to college students as well. “Releasing stress through meditation, quiet music, or deep breathing is good for all student health,” stated Kusza. Engaging with other peers, which is a lost art, may help students relax. “Students need to actually talk to friends face-to-face, and not just through technology,” said Kusza.
According to Snoonian, there’s several group classes offered at Mount Fitness that students can take to help release stress and relax the body and mind. Students should try every class, if possible, and if not start with Group Ride, Centergy, Yoga, or Fight. Snoonian recommends these specific classes for two reasons: they are fun and seem to be popular with young adults.
Another opportunity for students to relax and release the stress of finals is Reiki in the hall, according to Regan. These events are free to all students and will take place outside the library, with dates and times announced throughout the semester. Reiki helps bring about inner peace and harmony, along with maintaining good overall health, and, according to Regan, “It is amazing the positive energy you feel from Reiki. The experience is unbelievable, the stress just completely goes away.”
An additional, significant health concern amongst college students is alcohol and drug abuse. According to Kusza, staying substance free is vital for students’ overall health. “Be kind to yourself and put healthy foods in your body, not drugs,” said Kusza. Soda, particularly ones with caffeine, are included on the list of substances to avoid. After all caffeine is a drug as well, according to Kusza.
According to Regan, the inaugural Wellness Fair 2020 on April 8 will provide guest speakers offering several tips on healthy eating. Free healthy breakfast snacks and a nutritional lunch will be provided to all who attend as well. “A healthy whole-body experience will be provided as well,” Regan stated.
Snoonian has over 22 years of work experience in the fitness industry. Snoonian received his Bachelor of Science (BS) degree at the University of Massachusetts. Upon completing his BS degree Snoonian worked as a personal trainer in multiple fitness clubs.
Kusza graduated from MWCC in 2007 as Certified Registered Nurse. Kusza began her career at MWCC as an EMT in 2016. In September 2018 she becamse the Health Counselor/Health Service advisor at MWCC.
Regan received her Associates degree in human services at MWCC in 2018. She recently started online classes at the Institute for Integrated Nutrition (IIN) to become a certified health coach. Regan has worked at MWCC as staff assistant in health services for 5 years, along with advising the hiking club, and the Wednesday walks. Previously, she worked at the Mount Fitness Center for 14 years.
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