With a continued focus on mindfulness in the new year, Blair welcomed nutritionist April Milevski, MS, RDN, to campus to speak with students, faculty and staff about the power of nutrition on mental health. During her presentation Wednesday in Cowan Auditorium, Ms. Milevski shared insights on “Eating for Mental Health from an Integrative and Functional Perspective,” offering practical ways to support well-being through nutrition and demonstrating how food can be as powerful a medicine for the mind as it is for the body.

“I’m excited to give back to the community and help those who could benefit the most from this information,” Ms. Milevski shared in an interview before her presentation. “I wish I knew this information when I was in high school. Even in college, I had to do my own research and continue to educate myself on these topics. This information will be extremely useful for the Blair population, whether for athletes or general mental health.”

During the presentation, Ms. Milevski broke down the differences between integrative and functional medicine and how they apply to nutrition. She introduced students to the STAIN Approach, developed by the Integrative and Functional Nutrition Academy, which focuses on identifying the root causes of symptoms through five key areas: stress, toxins, adverse food reactions, infections and nutritional imbalances. From there, she explored the connection between gut health and mental health.

“The bacteria in our gut affect not only digestion, but also health throughout the body,” Ms. Milevski explained. “When gut bacteria are out of balance and the gut is inflamed, it has been linked to mental health conditions like anxiety and depression.”

The presentation also included tips students could easily incorporate into their daily lives, such as reducing high-sugar drinks and increasing fiber intake. Ms. Milevski emphasized that the information shared was for educational purposes only and not a substitute for individualized medical advice, encouraging students to consult with a healthcare provider before making changes to their diet or exercise regimen.

“Many people do not know that there is such a strong link between diet and mental health, and it’s our responsibility to make sure that this education is available for all students and adults in this community,” Director of Mindfulness Education and self and society department chair Sarah O’Neil said. “My hope is to increase awareness around the importance of nutrition so that we can support our students, faculty and staff in achieving optimal health and well-being.”

Ms. Milevski’s visit continued the following day with one-on-one meetings with faculty and staff, where she answered questions about dietary needs and optimizing well-being through nutrition. That evening, she met with female varsity athletes for a presentation titled “Eating for Optimal Performance—An Integrative and Functional Approach to Cyclical Health and the Athlete Triad,” which focused on how nutrition supports physical, cognitive and hormonal performance, as well as the importance of fuel, balance and support in female athletes’ lives.

This week, Blair welcomes nutrition scientist and registered dietitian Dr. Joseph Stanzione ’08, who will meet with male varsity athletes for a similar presentation tailored to their needs. These programs were arranged at Blair with the support of a generous donor. Throughout the academic year, Dr. Stanzione is meeting with all ninth graders to provide a foundational nutrition lesson through their Foundations of Well-Being 1 class, and Ms. Milevski will work with tenth graders in March during Foundations of Well-Being 2 classes.

“It’s simple: When the mind and body are both healthy, people are happier and more productive,” Ms. O’Neil noted. “I want to give our community the best chance to thrive!”