Physical well-being

Wellness can be nutrition, reducing unhealthy behaviors such as alcohol and other drug misuse, and bringing awareness to activities that enable vitality in one’s life.
Nutrition
To optimize our performance, nutrition is key. Our food choices impact energy levels and our future health. Luckily, there are resources to help us meet our nutritional goals.
Have you heard of diets specific to your cultural heritage? You may have heard of the Mediterranean diet, but have heard of the African Heritage, Latin American Heritage or Asian Heritage diets? Check out the Old Ways link for recipes, video tutorials, programs and menu planning.
Eating should be fun and enjoyable!
Students and employees on both the McNichols and Law Campuses love when The Big Salad is available. Also, on the McNichols Campus you'll find many healthy options at Tommy’s Café.
Hydration
Most people will stay well-hydrated just by drinking when thirsty. For others, a goal for water intake can be helpful.
As a general guideline, it is suggested an individual should drink, on average, three liters of water a day. However, this may vary from person to person, so please consult with your healthcare provider for personalized instructions.
Meeting your goal: Detroit Mercy offers convenient water refilling stations at each campus, so bring your reusable water bottle and start a hydration schedule today!
Movement
Physical activity should be done every day to help maintain our physical and mental health. When we move every day, we see improvement in our mood and performance. Consistent physical activity decreases your chances of chronic diseases such as heart disease, dementia, chronic pain and diabetes.
Current physical activity guidelines for Americans, set by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, recommend twice weekly muscle strengthening activities and 150 minutes of moderate physical activity a week for adults.
For individuals requiring accessibility, the CDC offers an exceptional website with physical activity for all or check out the free fitness videos from the National Center for Health, Physical Activity and Disability (NCHPAD) for adapted yoga, resistance band training and more.
Get started today by thinking of an activity that brings you joy and take action:
- Why not get a “prescription” for your fitness? Sign up for the free ParkRx program to find local parks and trails.
- Both students and employees can enjoy Detroit Mercy’s Fitness Center. University Recreation (URec) offers programs and classes, fitness equipment, intramural sports and its own Adventure Series. It’s a symbol of Detroit Mercy’s commitment to the physical health and well-being of our entire community.
- Check out the Michigan Move More program.
- Each February, you can help Detroit Mercy out-move all the other Jesuit Universities by competing in the Go Move Challenge.
Wellness Center
For educational events and opportunities, you can follow the Wellness Center on Instagram or contact the Wellness Center to schedule an appointment for a personalized health plan.
Location Information:
Detroit Mercy Wellness Center
104 West Quad, McNicholas Campus
4001 West McNichols Rd. Detroit MI 48221
Phone: 313-993-1185
Email: wellnesscenter@udmercy.edu