Emory’s Spring 2026 Living Health and Wellbeing Week focuses on compassion and self-kindness, which can help enhance personal well-being journeys and deepen connections. Wellbeing Week invites all members of the university community to explore practical opportunities and strategies to embrace well-being — emphasizing practice, not perfection.
Activities kick off Monday, Feb. 23, at 12 p.m. in the Emory Student Center and continue through Friday, Feb. 27.
Among the activities are presentations on topics as varied as medical amnesty, what law school doesn’t teach you, and cooking for energy; volunteer opportunities; group fitness classes, meditation breaks and sound baths; individual and group crafts; and much more.
While many are focused on students, several events are open to faculty and staff as well.
Living Health and Wellbeing Week is a twice-annual event that encourages the practice of well-being and self-care in daily life, according to Shiyra Addy, assistant director of programs for the Center for the Study of Human Health (CSHH), a part of Emory College of Arts and Sciences.
“With our spring semester theme of ‘Exploring Well-Being through Compassion,’ we define compassion as the ‘warm hearted concern that unfolds when we witness the suffering of others and feel motivated to relieve it,’” Addy says. “The theme links with the university’s Year of Compassion campaign, which is led by the Center for Contemplative Science and Compassion-Based Ethics, a part of Emory College of Arts and Sciences.”
“Practicing compassion offers many benefits for one’s own well-being as well as the well-being of others,” says Megan Brown, director of the Center for Student Wellbeing. “Such benefits include, for example, lowered stress, less anxiety and depression, increased hope and sense of social connection, greater motivation and better physical health.”
Living Health and Wellbeing Week Spring 2026 is hosted by the Center for Student Wellbeing, part of Emory Campus Life; the CSHH; and the Wellbeing Leaders Coalition (WLC). The WLC includes representatives from Emory’s schools and other university organizations with a shared interest in promoting well-being across campus.
According to Brown, the primary goal of the semi-annual event is to remind students that the university is committed to their well-being and the many ways they can thrive individually and together.
Highlights to anticipate
Living Health and Wellbeing Week features dozens of activities. Following is a selected highlight for each day. Note that dates, times and/or locations for events may change.
Monday, Feb. 23
Wellbeing Week kick-off
12 p.m., Emory Student Center
In addition to photo opportunities with Swoop, participants will learn about the week’s activities, how to link compassion and well-being in their lives, and ways they can demonstrate compassion for themselves and others in the community. Participants will receive stickers and Random Act of Kindness Cards to help them spread kindness and compassion this week and throughout the semester.
Tuesday, Feb. 24
“Medical Amnesty: Understanding Your Options”
1-3 p.m., Asbury Circle
The Emory Police Department, Emory Emergency Medical Service, and Office of Community Standards and Education will inform students about the difference between Georgia Medical Amnesty Law and Emory’s Medical Amnesty Policy. Goodie bags with information decks for students will be provided for future reference.
Wednesday, Feb 25
Sound Bath by Saira Raza
1-3 p.m.; Robert W. Woodruff Library, Jones Room
Thursday, Feb. 26
Group Fitness Classes
Offered throughout the day by Recreation and Wellness.
Days, times and locations can be found on the group fitness website.
Friday, Feb. 27
Meditation Breaks
9 a.m.-4 p.m.; School of Nursing, Wellness Rooms at ENLC (Room 265) and 1520 (Room P12A)
