Being a pre-health student is stressful. Even with the fall semester behind you, you might be using your Winter Break to study for the MCAT exam, work on your med school applications, clock some shadowing hours or ponder enrolling in a certificate program. The semester pause also is a good time to unwind and begin to practice healthy habits.
HealthCareerCERTS has put together some tips for taking some much-needed time over the holidays to rejuvenate and take your mind off the constant stresses of medical studies:
- Get physical. Go outside or find a physical activity you love. It’s important to do something active to relieve stress and stay healthy. So if you know you’ll never get the motivation to go to the gym, try other things you might enjoy. It can be adventurous like rock climbing, kayaking, or skiing, but it can also be as simple as going for a bike ride or a walk with a friend, recommends the Association of American Medical Colleges.
- You’ve Got to Have Friends. Having a support system of family and friends also is important. This can also include study groups, sports or other activities and regular check-ins with friends and relatives, read more here.
- Try meditating. To get your mind off your to-do academic list, try practicing meditation or reflective writing, suggests experts from the American Medical School Association. There’s also a study that proves mindfulness can increase attention control. Wouldn’t you like to pay attention to what you’re doing? There are lots of kinds of meditation and free apps and online videos to get you started.
- Get cooking. Now’s the time to head to the kitchen (and we don’t mean a game of pickleball.) The AAMC suggests tapping into your inner chef and cooking for yourself, which can be a stress-relieving activity. It also might help you make healthier food choices!
- Be balanced. Practice (or at least during Winter Break) the old adage, ‘work hard, play hard.’ (Except forget the work part over the break). Have fun, travel, hike, hang out with your friends, play music, or do whatever you enjoy!
- Eat, sleep and be merry. Press snooze and catch up on your sleep during Winter Break. Getting enough sleep and staying hydrated can help you when you return to your studies.
This holiday season, let HealthCareerCerts do the heavy lifting — and take away the stress and headache — with our free resources for your journey to a healthcare career. Learn more here.
