Journal of Happiness and Health

University students constitute a vulnerable population regarding mental health challenges, a situation often exacerbated by systemic stressors during global crises. This mixed-methods study investigates the efficacy of Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) as a proactive positive health intervention to enhance self-regulation and psychological well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conducted in accordance with institutional ethical standards and based on voluntary participation, this study utilized a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design with 100 university students. During the initial lockdown, psychological distress was measured via the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21), alongside the collection of written accounts to capture participants' subjective experiences. Quantitative analysis using Repeated Measures MANOVA revealed a statistically significant reduction in psychological distress with a large effect size following at least seven days of PMR practice. Complementing these results, thematic analysis elucidated that PMR fosters positive health through dual pathways; psychological relief via emotional and cognitive regulation, and physical restoration through improved sleep quality and somatic relaxation. Crucially, the qualitative findings identified specific cues of action related to the timing, consistency, and progressive structure of the exercise, which served as vital moderators for subjective well-being. The findings suggest a strong congruence between quantitative symptom reduction and qualitative pathways to resilience, concluding that PMR is an accessible self-regulation strategy that promotes sustainable psychological growth and positive health in university settings.