Dear AME Community,

Spring brings fresh opportunities for resilience and renewal! In this edition, explore the UC Climate Resilience Course, meet our visiting scholars, and discover new research on mindfulness for stress and climate resilience. Check out upcoming retreats at Esalen and Kripalu, plus opportunities to participate in studies on mindful motivation and eating behavior. Wishing you a season of growth and well-being!

Warmly,

Drs. Elissa Epel and Aric Prather

UC Climate Resilience Course: Enroll Now!

UC Students - E n r o l l in the UC Climate Resilience Co u r s e!

Feeling overwhelmed by the climate crisis? You’re not alone. Learn how to turn climate anxiety into meaningful action in this new and exciting course.

This hybrid, cross-campus course features world leaders in climate science, advocacy, and mindfulness. After a successful launch in 2024, it is now open to students across all 10 UC campuses. This is a low-stress and flexible course created to support and empower you.

💻 Format: Hybrid – expert-led video lectures + in-person small groups with mindfulness teachers

🌱 What You’ll Gain: Tools for resilience, purpose, and collaborative climate action

As featured in NPR (“Here’s How to Change Climate Change Anxiety into Action”) and UC News (“Got Climate Anxiety? This UC Course Can Help”).

Join a growing movement for climate resilience—enroll today!

🔗 Learn More and Find a Class on Your Campus www.climateresilience.online

AME Mindfulness Publications

Climate change remains one of the most pressing issues of our time, and causes psychological stress for many. Extreme worry about climate change may drive individuals to avoid their negative thoughts and feelings about climate, known as maladaptive climate distress.

A recent study found that higher levels of a form of mindful attention may help individuals face difficult climate feelings without engaging in maladaptive climate distress, suggesting a pathway to psychological resilience and climate action. More here.

Results from a four-month study of a digital mindfulness program for UC employees showed reduced stress, job strain, and burnout among participants, with higher app engagement associated with greater stress reduction. Just five minutes of meditation a day was enough to lead to benefits!

Read the publication and article from UCSF News Center.

Meet Our Visting International Scholars!

Ruth Marheinecke, MSc., is a social and clinical psychologist studying the dysregulation of the stress response and immune system in response to experiences of political repression. We spoke with her about her work in this profile!

Mauricio Guillen, MS., is a behavioral ecologist focused on telomere dynamics, and how environmental factors may affect telomere length in seabird populations. Read more about his work here.

Study Participation Opportunity

Struggling with weight and sometimes feeling out of control when you eat?

We are inviting Bay Area residents to join a study testing Mindful Motivation, a

beginner-friendly mindfulness approach aimed at improving eating behaviors. Curious about mindfulness? This is your chance to explore its benefits!

You can earn up to $150 in Amazon gift cards, as well as a free year-long subscription to Headspace! You may also have a chance to meet with a licensed professional to develop goals around eating behavior. Fill out the survey here to see if you are eligible.

Check out the latest episodes from The Stress Puzzle podcast, hosted by AME Alumnus Dr. Ryan Brown!

The Stress Puzzle promotes high-quality stress science through engaging conversations with experts who don't shy away from discussing the nuances of the research. Subscribe now on our website or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Learn More

Upcoming Retreats and Workshops

Esalen Cultivating Vitality Workshop

May 30 - June 1, 2025

Join Drs. Elissa Epel and Cassandra Vieten for Esalen’s Cultivating Vitality workshop, a guided exploration of evidence-based tools for living a vibrant life and building an ecosystem of mental well-being.

More here.

Kripalu Deep Rest Retreat

June 22 - June 26, 2025

In this Kripalu program, Dr. Elissa Epel and Nichol Chase will share their expertise in the science, art, and practice of deep rest, rejuvenation, and stress resilience.

Drs. Aric Prather, and Elissa Epel, AME lab directors, with nobel laureate Liz Blackburn, at the Stand for Science Rally!