Wellness | Penn Today

Two people standing in front of a wall of art. One of them is holding up a second piece of art in gloved hands. The other gestures toward the art, holding a computer or clipboard in the other hand.

Do art museums prioritize visitor well-being enough?

Research from the Humanities and Human Flourishing Project in Penn’s Positive Psychology Center reveals that the people working in these institutions want to see greater emphasis on human flourishing, but they feel ill-equipped to make it happen.

Illustration resembling a cosmic square with stars.

‘In These Times’ explores the intricate riddles of life through art

Episodes 6 and 7 of the latest season of the OMNIA podcast explore how art like music and dance have been the pulse of social movements, and how individual artistic experiences impact mental health and well-being.

People walking on campus, some with face coverings, some without.

Five things to know about COVID-19 protocols for the fall semester

In an effort to keep everyone within the Penn community healthy, Benoit Dubé, Penn’s chief wellness officer, says it is critical that University students, staff, and faculty adhere to the recommended public health guidelines.

A person, Helaine Heggs, standing outside in front of a tree.

‘Trusted messengers’ distill science, debunk myths about COVID-19 vaccine

VaxUpPhillyFamilies, led by Penn’s School of Nursing, engages Philadelphia parents and caregivers as vaccine ambassadors to identify concerns and provide support related to COVID-19 vaccines, increase vaccine uptake, and address social support needs.

Q&A

How to improve accessibility and digital inclusion

Tonya Bennett discusses a recent accessibility awareness panel discussion where higher education leaders focused on physical and digital access and inclusion for the more than one billion people worldwide with disabilities and impairments.

Headphones and a stethoscope on a table.

Combating provider burnout and stress with music

Health care providers, long susceptible to burnout, have turned to music to alleviate the stress of the pandemic.

Farhan Jivraj sits at a desk and looks at the topographic rug in the biophilic room

Can nature-inspired designs affect cognition and mood?

A team from the Center for Neuroaesthetics created a biophilic room to test the idea. Preliminary findings from a small pilot show promise, but also spur many questions about how to best use such a space.

A person stretches on a yoga mat on an outdoor walkway.

Be in the Know returns for wellness in 2022-2023

Penn’s faculty and staff wellness campaign begins a new year and is bringing back on-campus biometric screenings this fall.

The foods that keep you hydrated

Dan Negoianu of the Perelman School of Medicine says there’s really no data behind the eight-glasses-of-water-a-day advice.

An adult wearing a mask squatting next to a child wearing a mask at the end of a slide on an outdoor playground.

Q&A

Children younger than 5 eligible for COVID-19 vaccines

In a Q&A, Lori Handy of Penn Medicine and CHOP discusses what it means now that this final group can get protection, plus offers recommendations for families with concerns about doing so.

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