MWCC Be Well at the Mount logo

Connecting you to on and off-campus resources to support your health and well-being.

Food

Do you know? The foods you eat impact your health? Most importantly, what you eat can affect the most complex organ in your body: your brain! Amazingly, the food you eat affects neurons, the major cells of the brain. An unhealthy diet that is rich in fats and sugars causes inflammation of neurons in the brain and inhibits the formation of new ones. This can affect how your brain works and contribute to brain disorders like depression. On the other hand, a diet that contains healthy nutrients, such as omega-3 fatty acids, is beneficial for brain health. A healthy diet improves the formation of neurons and leads to improved thinking, attention, and memory.3

Benefits:

  • The Green St. Café provides healthy options to keep you focused and nourish those neurons!
  • Food for Thought campus food pantry provides students in need with healthy snacks and prepackaged meals! Scan the QR code below for details or email foodpantry@mwcc.mass.edu to learn more.

Mind & Body

Do you know? When it comes to your mental health, self-care can help you manage stress, lower your risk of illness, and increase your energy. Even small acts of self-care in your daily life can have a big impact. 4

Benefits:

  • Massage: Clear your mind and relax your body with a complimentary massage. Coming soon! Check InvolveMOUNT for schedule.
  • Reiki: Resolve emotional distress by allowing the healing energy of a Reiki session to help reduce tension, pain, stress and anxiety throughout the body. Coming soon! Check InvolveMOUNT for the schedule.
  • Wellness Room: Gain a new perspective and improve your inner awareness through self-guided meditation. Open daily from 8:00 to 5:00pm in room H114 (meditation room will include yoga mats). Stop by the Student Services office to reserve your spot.
  • Counseling Services: Mental health services are offered both in-person and online. The online service provides you with 24/7 access, year-round, to certified counselors, telehealth visits over the phone or on video chat, and additional wellness resources like coping strategies and mindfulness programs. Visit bewellthemount.com or call 833-434-1217 for more information.
  • Journaling can help you reduce stress and help you move toward personal and academic growth. Journaling can help improve your mental health and self-confidence, inspires creativity, and can enhance your critical thinking skills. Use this journal to help you reflect on your day, goals, gratitude, self-affirmations, etc.

Fitness

Did you know? Higher physical activity and physical fitness levels are associated with improved cognitive performance (e.g., concentration, memory) among students.”(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Physical activity facts 2022)1

Benefits:

  • Mount Fitness offers a variety of fitness equipment, basketball and pickleball courts, a pool, and group classes for all fitness levels – there is something for everyone at Mount Fitness. Our students receive a significant discount on Mount Fitness memberships, and for a limited time students can get a free semester pass. Stop by the Student Services office to learn more.
  • Stationary Bikes have been added around the campus. What are the benefits of using a stationary bike? Boost your cardio fitness and burn fat, with a low-impact workout which strengthens your legs and lower body muscles. Studies suggest that cycling for as little as 15 to 20 minutes each day can be beneficial for heart health. So, get your music, podcast or show ready and hop on!
  • Walking Trails: The Mount is located on 260 acres of grass and woodland, and we have hiking trails through the forest behind the school, as well as across the street along the reservoir behind the hospital.

Sources:

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Physical Activity Facts
  2. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Yoga: What You Need to Know
  3. Healthy Meal, Happy Brain: How Diet Affects Brain Functioning
  4. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Caring for your mental health.