Wellness | Penn Today

Illustration of a person holding a brief case bounding up stacks of money. Dollar signs float all around and one appears in a large circular coin at the bottom right.

Does more money correlate with greater happiness?

Reconciling previously contradictory results, researchers from Penn and Princeton find a steady association between larger incomes and greater happiness for most people but a rise and plateau for an unhappy minority.

The less college students sleep, the worse their grades, study finds

Two hundred Penn students and staff participating in a seven-week online course to build better sleep habits have reported an overall decrease in symptoms of insomnia, according to Rebecca Huxta of Wellness at Penn.

New on the job: Penn director of well-being initiatives creates tools for success

As Wellness at Penn’s inaugural director of well-being initiatives, doctoral candidate Jackie Recktenwald of the Graduate School of Education is looking to improve student health and wellness across campus.

Tex Kang holds a giant replica of a gaming system control.

Taking play seriously at the Penn Libraries

The Penn Libraries’ Education Commons and Vitale Digital Media Lab facilitate and support play through planned activities and in response to student requests, with an ultimate goal to benefit student wellness.

Through service, Penn commemorates King’s life and legacy

Monday’s MLK Day of Service included a flurry of events on and around campus, and kicked off several weeks of related programming.

Chloe Hunter, Rachel Miller, Ally Riley, Jonah Charlton holding tote bags in front of a wall that reads “Sleep Hygiene Campaign Award goes to…”

Students compete to help their classmates fall asleep

For their Public Health Communication class, students pitch ideas in a (friendly) “Shark Tank”-style to promote healthy sleep habits on campus.

Penn prof pens guidebook for college students

Dustin Brisson of the School of Arts & Sciences consolidated notes from his years of teaching and advising to create a guidebook for undergraduates aimed at helping them achieve success and well-being.

Three therapy dogs in a room at Chester County Hospital with medical personnel.

Fostering a therapy dog means welcoming strangers and petting

Foster families and therapy dogs in training learn their roles together. Studies show pet therapy in hospitals significantly decreases pain, calms breathing, and boosts mood and perceived energy levels in patients.

A woman sits by a fireplace with twinkle lights and drinks tea

Six tips for a happy holiday season

Positive Psychology experts share their advice for boosting well-being this holiday season.

John MacDonald and Gina South in West Philly

Abandoned house repairs reduced nearby gun violence

Installing working windows and doors, cleaning trash, and weeding at abandoned houses led to safety improvements and should be considered in efforts to create healthy communities, according to researchers from University of Pennsylvania and Columbia.

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