Health Services Staff Member Supports Physical and Mental Wellness
By Maya Douglas | Observer Contributor
Photo by Thomas Hill Jr.
Nancy Regan, health assistant in the MWCC Nurse’s office, enjoys interactions with students and focusing on mental health. She said for her, health is beyond a passion. She emphasized that health is not only concerning the physical body; mental health and nutrition affect people just as much as illness or injury.
Starting last fall, every Wednesday students meet at the roundabout outside the cafe to go on a half hour walk for “Walking Wednesdays.” Both faculty and students are welcome. Regan said the meeting time is at 12:30 p.m. so that students may take a break from studying to get some fresh air.
Regan said she created Walking Wednesdays after noticing that students were not leaving the building, going outdoors, or getting fresh air in between classes. Regan did research and found that thirty minutes a day of walking can improve cardiovascular health, breathing, mental stability, and stress. In addition, she said that by going outside, students absorb necessary nutrients such as vitamin D and that going with a group helps students become more social.
Regan said she is an advocate of mental health awareness. Her goal is to show students other ways of relief, such as yoga, meditation, breathing, and walking.
She said her time at MWCC has been successful. She enjoys watching her students change in personality, socially, and begin to feel relief from their daily struggles. She encourages everyone to find resources to deal with mental health.
Regan has earned a Level Three Reiki Master certification. According to her, Diane King, a nurse in the office who retired last year, inspired her to learn Reiki. Regan described it as both satisfying and fulfilling work, and she is happy she can share it with her students.
“I feel fortunate to work in health services where I am able to expose students to a multitude of holistic approaches to mental illness,” said Regan.
Regan is also organizing a Wellness Fair for this Spring, sponsored by the Health Services Department. There will be a speaker on nutrition and mental health, and counseling services and massage therapy will be available. She said there will also be yoga, tai chi, Reiki, and healthy food. Presently, she is working with the Health Services Department to bring in a nutrition chef for the event to teach a seminar on how to eat well while on a budget.
Regan has a degree in Human Services and worked at the Fitness and Wellness Center for fourteen years before coming to MWCC. Currently, she is participating in a yearlong program to become a Certified Health Coach through the online Institute of Integrative Nutrition.
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