RX for sun: Rest and recharge over summer break - come back refreshed!

elhaustveit
Jul 17
2 min read

It is summer break—and if you're a healthcare student, you've earned every second of it. After months of lectures, labs, clinicals, and caffeine-fueled study sessions, your brain (and body) are probably begging for a breather. You may still need to be present for class or clinicals (hello RT students!!) or have a summer job, but enjoying a change in pace, weather, and mood is vital to your health!

How do you make the most of your time off without losing momentum?

Here’s your prescription for a summer that restores your energy, sharpens your focus, and sets you up for success when the fall semester rolls around.

🧠 1. Rest Is Productive

Let’s bust a myth: rest is not laziness. Your brain consolidates learning during downtime. Faculty from our program have found this to be one of the most frequent conversations we have with students.

Sleep in, take naps, and give yourself permission to do nothing sometimes. It’s not slacking—it’s science.

Try this:

Set a “no-alarm” day once a week.
Practice mindfulness or meditation for 10 minutes a day.
Take a tech break to reduce mental clutter.
Check your schedule! Where are your priorities? What can truly wait? What is setting you up to meet your dreams and goals?

🌿 2. Reconnect with Life Outside the Lab

Healthcare is about people—but sometimes, school makes it hard to connect with your own. Use summer to rebuild relationships and rediscover hobbies that bring you joy.

Ideas:

Plan a picnic or hike with friends.
Revisit a hobby you dropped during finals.
Volunteer in a non-clinical setting to stay connected without the pressure.

📚 3. Learn Lightly

You don’t have to go full academic mode, but a little low-pressure learning can keep your mind engaged. Repetition and a commitment to life-long learning helps set you up for success without forcing you to burn the midnight oil.

Suggestions:

Read a medical memoir or health-related novel.
Watch documentaries or listen to healthcare podcasts.
Shadow a professional in a relaxed setting (if you want to).
Study pharmacology or a topic you struggle with! Find some fun videos.

🏃‍♀️ 4. Move Your Body, Gently

You’ve been hunched over textbooks and screens—your body needs movement. But this isn’t about boot camps or burnout.

Try:

Yoga or stretching in the morning.
Swimming, biking, or dancing—whatever feels fun.
Walking while listening to music or a podcast.

✍️ 5. Reflect and Reset

Before the next semester starts, take time to reflect on your journey. What worked? What didn’t? What are your goals for the next year?

Journal prompts:

What am I proud of from this past year?
What do I want to do differently next semester?
How can I take better care of myself during school?

💡 Final Thought

You’re training for a career that demands compassion, resilience, and lifelong learning. Taking care of yourself is part of that training. So this summer, rest like it’s your job—because in a way, it is.