We are a training and research laboratory in the Department of Psychology at Rutgers University, located in Piscataway, New Jersey. Broadly, our research aims to understand why and how certain psychological symptoms and conditions, like anxiety and stress, influence health risk behaviors and chronic disease. The primary mission of The REHAB Laboratory is to improve the physical and psychological well-being of our community. Our secondary mission is to train and educate students to be well-rounded clinical scientists and practitioners in clinical health psychology.

Near the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, we conducted an online study of undergraduate students to see if identifying, clarifying, and acting on their most important personal values could help them feel more positive and relieve some of the distress caused by the virus and social distancing measures.

We were so impressed by the quality of responses from our students and the thoughtful ways they were living out their values, even under all the constraints of social distancing. Students who completed this values exercise demonstrated immediate boosts in positive mood, and we wanted to share their inspiring quotes and pass along the positivity.