Health and Wellness

Luther seminary educates leaders for Christian communities . . . and leaders who practice healthy living habits make the most effective leaders. The Healthy Leaders Initiative based on the premise that an individual's lifestyle has a direct influence on life expectancy as well as quality of life and effectiveness as a leader. Health and well-being encompass the whole person—the spiritual, emotional, interpersonal, vocational, intellectual, as well as physical components. At the center of our wholeness is the confidence that we have been given new life in Jesus Christ through baptism.

The purpose of this program is to make students/future leaders aware of the effect of their lifestyle on their longevity and quality of life and to identify behaviors that will enable them to live longer and better, empowered by God's grace to minister and serve. This will not only provide a personal benefit but will also help them model a healthy lifestyle for those they will be serving in the parish and community.

Parish Nurse Program

Karen Treat, parish nurse at Luther Seminary, integrates faith and health, coordinates support groups and volunteers, serves as a health educator, functions as a personal health counselor and is an advocate who refers individuals to health agencies as needed. A selection of hospitals and clinics appears in the Resource Guide later in this handbook.

These are some of the programs Karen coordinates to assist members of the Luther Seminary community focus on healthy living:

• Healthy Leaders Challenge is a 21-day challenge offered in fall and spring emphasizing habits of healthy living.

• Health Risk Assessment offered in winter includes blood cholesterol and glucose, blood pressure and body mass index assessments.

• Blood pressure screening is offered monthly in Campus Center and during Parish Nurse office hours.

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  Good Nutrition Healthy meal plans offered in dining services listing caloric and nutritional values.

• Healthy living support group Encouragement from peers to reach personal goals of weight loss, stress relief, or activity levels.

• Exercise
  

  • Trainers in the fitness center to assist with exercise plans
  • Yoga classes
  • Aerobic classes
  • Walking groups
  • Intramural sports

• Rest and Relaxation—setting aside regular times for sleep and recreation

The Fitness Center, Stub Hall Basement

Equipment includes cross-trainers, upright bikes and a recumbent bike, a hoist multi-gym, a chin-up bar and an Olympic 300 lb. weight set.

OFF CAMPUS OPPORTUNITIES for fitness and swimming include some of these nearby institutions. Call for hours and fees.

Off Campus Opportunities

• University of Minnesota
  St. Paul Gym
  612-625-8283

• Fairview Community Center
  651-604-3500

• Augsburg College Fitness Center
  612-330-1252

• Midway YMCA
  1761 University Ave W, St. Paul
  651-646-4557