Throughout the month of September, Villanovans are encouraged to focus on their health and wellness through a campus-wide initiative known as “Healthy ‘Nova Month,” led by the Office of Health Promotion.
With the new school year kicking into high gear, it is easy for Villanova students to put their health on the backseat as they juggle classes, new schedules and extracurricular activities.
“Healthy ‘Nova Month” takes place throughout the month of September and offers a wide variety of resources, workshops and activities to help students recharge, reconnect and tap into both their mind and body wellness in ways that feel accessible and engaging.
“September is packed with lots of programs, activities and workshops to get new students acclimated and welcome upperclassmen back to campus,” Director of Health Promotion Stacey Andes said. “The Office of Health Promotion decided to expand our planned activities to the full month of September so that we could gradually roll out a wide variety of things that would introduce the various health and well-being resources, services and programs available to students at Villanova.”
Events included University Counseling Center support groups, pet therapy, residence hall check-ins and Painting with POWER.
Resources offered to students range from technological support and virtual tools to hands-on, in-person activities and events that emphasize relaxation, stress management and community building.
Sophomore Ava DeJong took advantage of the free 15-minute back massage offered in the Student Health Center. She described it as a simple yet impactful way to pause in the middle of a stressful week.
“It was a great way to relax and find peace within a busy school day,” DeJong said. “Implementing moments of peace throughout your busy day is very important, and that can be found with the help of ‘Healthy ‘Nova Month.’”
Along with the in-person resources provided to students, participants were also encouraged to become familiar with technological resources that prioritize wellness. The Flourish mobile app is one of the most popular and widely used among students this fall. Flourish is a mental wellness program that utilizes AI to help users reduce stress and anxiety.
Throughout “Healthy ‘Nova Month,” sophomore Maddie Sumnar was able to discover Flourish and implement this tool in her day-to-day life, whether she needed assistance with academic struggles, guidance for managing stress or just quick access to mental health support.
“The app has a unique use of AI to help with general anxieties or things you need to get off your chest,” Sumnar said. “Flourish helps make mental health help more accessible for everyone without the anxiety-inducing aspects that sometimes come with getting the help.”
Villanovans are encouraged to sign up for events hosted by the Office of Health Promotion by visiting their website and viewing their calendar. Here, all events for the month will be posted, as well as instructions on how to register.
As the school year continues to ramp up and responsibilities begin to pile, Andes, along with the rest of the Office of Health Promotion staff have a reminder for students.
“We want to remind students that their health and well-being should be a priority, and there are many people and places that are ready to help them do that,” Andes said.
By placing wellness at the center of student life, “Healthy ‘Nova Month’s” goal is to create a culture where health is seen not as an afterthought, but as a necessary part of thriving at Villanova.
