UC Irvine’s second annual Happiness Week, a campus-wide celebration dedicated to enhancing well-being and resilience during the inevitable stress of the last week of the winter quarter, continues its weeklong series of engaging activities and initiatives designed to elevate your spirits, reduce stress and foster a sense of community.
Led by the Division of Undergraduate Education and joined by almost 400 social ecology students taking Professor Sarah Pressman's Positive Psychology class (as well as about a dozen campus units), Happiness Week, which runs daily through Friday evening, offers a diverse range of events to help you thrive academically and personally.
Here is what is scheduled today:
9am-4pm: Stress Relief through Coloring and Games: Coloring books and games are set up in the study lounge at Undergraduate/Undeclared Advising's UEA 106 all week, so students can come by, play and de-stress.
11am-2pm: Treats at DCP: Students who visit the Division of Career Pathways today through Thursday enjoy individually wrapped snacks such as candy bars or bags of chips.
11am-12:30pm: Positive Psychology Interventions: Join the Winter 2025 Positive Psychology class for a variety of joyful activities along Ring Road and all over campus! From pet therapy, to acts of kindness, to face painting, you’ll find something for everyone! Bring your friends and discover new ways to promote wellbeing through positive psychology!
2:30-4:30pm: Stress Relief–Button Making & Paper Crafts: Take a study break and stop by UCI Libraries today and Wednesday! Enjoy some snacks and relax by designing your own buttons and making paper crafts in Langson Library Classroom 228.
4-5pm: Yoga by the Pool: Join UCI Recreation for a one-hour, transformative yoga session next to the pool near ARC. Please bring a yoga mat and wear comfortable clothing. All levels are welcome. This class is designed to enhance your stress resilience through scientifically-backed practices, focusing on gentle yoga poses, mindful breathing and meditation techniques that have been shown to reduce stress and improve overall well-being. Recent scientific research highlights the numerous benefits of yoga in fostering stress resilience. Studies indicate that regular yoga practice can lower cortisol levels, the body’s primary stress hormone, while increasing the production of endorphins, which are natural mood elevators. Yoga has also been found to enhance heart rate variability, a key indicator of the body’s ability to adapt to stress. In this class, you will:
- Engage in a series of calming poses that promote relaxation and flexibility.
- Practice deep breathing exercises proven to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, reducing stress responses.
- Experience guided meditation to cultivate mindfulness and present-moment awareness, crucial for managing stress effectively.
Whether you’re new to yoga or an experienced practitioner, this class offers valuable insights into how yoga can be a powerful tool in building resilience against stress. Discover the scientific principles behind the practice and leave feeling rejuvenated and empowered to handle life’s challenges with greater ease.
With a focus on positive psychology and well-being, Happiness Week is your opportunity to learn, grow, and connect with others in a fun and meaningful way. Join us and discover the joy of happiness at UCI. Follow the "Full Schedule" link to learn about all the events happening through Friday, March 14.
