Health-Wellness | Now Word Covenant Church

MENTAL | PHYSICAL | SPIRITUAL

It’s your future. be there happy & healthy

The NWCC Health and Wellness Ministry enthusiastically and compassionatley use our gifts to preserve life and enhance the emotional, physical, and spiritual wellness of everyone we encounter.

Mission

We exist to reach, teach, and train our community about healthy living so we can impact the overall health of those in the Body of Christ.

Vision

Provide opportunities for a healing and caring community where each can seek to become a whole person in Christ and be a vital center for Spiritual, Physical, and Metnal Growth. To honor our bodies as a gift from God and temple of the Holy Spirit.

Scripture

Romans 14:14-18: I know and am convinced on the authority of the Lord Jesus that no food, in and of itself, is wrong to eat. But if someone believes it is wrong, then for that person it is wrong.

15 And if another believer is distressed by what you eat, you are not acting in love if you eat it. Don’t let your eating ruin someone for whom Christ died.

16 Then you will not be criticized for doing something you believe is good.

17 For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

18 If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too.

April: Stress Awareness & Mental Renewal

🧠 The Physiology of Biological Rest

Systemic Recovery & The Nervous System

Rest is an active biological state driven by the Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS), or the “Rest and Digest” branch. Activating the PNS lowers heart rate and blood pressure, redirecting energy toward internal metabolic repair and reducing the systemic inflammation caused by chronic stress (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute [NHLBI], 2022).

Cognitive Maintenance

During rest, the glymphatic system clears neurotoxic waste from the brain, while neural pathways stabilize neurotransmitters like GABA and serotonin. This process is essential for memory consolidation, emotional regulation, and maintaining executive focus (NHLBI, 2022).

Cellular & Immune Repair

At the cellular level, rest triggers protein synthesis and the release of growth hormones necessary for tissue regeneration. It also optimizes T-cell production, strengthening the immune response and replenishing the body’s primary energy stores (NHLBI, 2022).

Educational Disclaimer
This information is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose,
treat, or replace professional medical advice.

Mental Stewardship as Health Prevention

The Prefrontal Cortex & Stress Regulation

The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is the primary brain region responsible for executive function, focus, and emotional control. Proactive mental stewardship—through techniques like mindfulness, prayer, or cognitive exercises—strengthens the PFC’s ability to regulate stress. A resilient PFC can modulate the amygdala’s (the fear center) activation, reducing the cascade of cortisol and adrenaline (Harvard Health, 2024).

Mitigating Chronic Physiological Damage

When the brain perceives prolonged, unmanaged stress, it causes the body to remain in an over-activated, sympathetic state (a sustained “fight-or-flight” response). Chronic exposure to these stress hormones is linked to hypertension, systemic inflammation, and a weakened immune system. Mental stewardship serves as a primary form of preventive care by proactively interrupting this cycle before it manifests as physical disease (American Psychological Association, 2023).

References
American Psychological Association. (2023, March 8). Stress effects on the body.
https://www.apa.org/topics/stress/body

Harvard Health Publishing. (2024, January 17). Rest and the brain: Why your mind needs a
break. Harvard Medical School.
https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/sleep-and-brain-health-whats-the-connection

Key Takeaway: Managing stress through regular rest periods is a primary tool for disease
prevention and long-term vitality.

NWCC Health + Wellness Events

At Now Word Covenant Church (NWCC), our Health and Wellness Ministry is committed to supporting the whole person—spirit, mind, and body. Throughout the year, we host a variety of health-focused events, workshops, and community activities designed to educate, encourage, and empower individuals and families to live healthier lives. From awareness months and wellness discussions to fitness activities and health screenings, these events provide practical tools and faith-centered guidance for caring for the body God has entrusted to us.

Click the buton below to view upcoming Health and Wellness events and opportunities to participate.

Upcoming Health + Wellness events

RECIPE OF THE MONTH

Magnesium-Rich “Calm” Salad

Designed to support neurological function and stress reduction. Magnesium is a vital mineral that helps regulate the body’s stress response. Deficiencies in magnesium are often linked to increased anxiety and fatigue (Mayo Clinic, 2023).

Ingredients:

2 cups Fresh Baby Spinach (High in Magnesium)
1/2 Avocado, sliced (Healthy fats for brain health)
2 tbsp Raw Pumpkin Seeds (High in Zinc and Magnesium)
1/4 cup Quinoa, cooked
Dressing: Lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, and a pinch of sea salt.

Instructions:

Toss the spinach and quinoa in a large bowl.
Top with avocado slices and pumpkin seeds.
Drizzle with the lemon-olive oil dressing and serve immediately.

Turmeric Ginger Salmon w/ Roasted Broccoli & Sweet Potatoes

Energizing Pineapple Ginger Smoothie

Chickpea & Sweet Potato Grain Bowls

What We Do

We provide meaningful education, programs, and activities that address the health issues of the NWCC family and surrounding community that ultimately enhances growth as Christians.