Take quick 10-15 minute breaks throughout your day. These breaks should be a time where you are not focused on a specific task, but allowing your mind to relax. This allows your brain to recharge and refocus. Try reading a book, listening to some music, or just sitting outside and taking in some fresh air. You can also play a game like online Jigsaw Puzzles or draw with this online Sketchpad.
Looking for live music, free performances, or festivals to unwind? Check out all the free events happening in Cambridge this summer. The Council for the Arts at MIT (CAMIT) also provides free admission for MIT students to three major Boston area art museums, as well as discounted student tickets to performances.
Give yourself a break and take advantage of all the beautiful weather. Events at MIT Open Space Programming are happening all this summer.
Unwind this summer with Community Wellness’ virtual Mindfulness opportunities. Join weekly for Noon Unwind on Tuesdays from 12-12:15 p.m. and/or 4:45 Unwind on Thursdays from 4:45-5 p.m. Additionally, attend their Mindfulness Mini-Retreats on Monday, June 3 and/or Friday, June 14. All of these opportunities offer the ability to take a break, stretch, meditate, and calm the mind and body. . These classes and more can be found on the Community Wellness class site and are open to the entire MIT Community.
Slow down and awaken your senses on a guided therapeutic experience in the Arnold Arboretum. Forest therapy, inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku, is a restorative sensory exploration that supports health and healing for all beings. From increased cerebral blood flow to stronger immune defenses, come discover for yourself what happens when we unplug, slow down and open our senses to notice more of our natural surroundings. Space is limited so make sure to register on the MIT Activities Committee website by June 14, 2024.
Making sure you have access to food resources this summer is a priority for MIT. We encourage you to explore these resources for more convenient and affordable food options!
- TechCASH can be used at H Mart, Brother’s, and Daily Table. Here is a full list of local businesses accepting TechCASH.
- Check out the full MIT Food & Grocery Map for more locations near you or visit the DoingWell Food Security and Financial Resources page for more information.
- Try making some of these 47 affordable and easy recipes using Trader Joe’s ingredients. Check the MIT grocery shuttle schedule for pick up times and locations and find more information about nutrition on MIT Recreation’s Blog.
- Visit the Central Square Farmers Market on Mondays, 12 pm to 6 pm, or the Kendall Square Farmers Market on Thursdays, 12 pm to 6pm, all summer for delicious produce, protein, baked goods, ready-to-eat meals, and other locally made products that support your local food system! Search this interactive map for more farmers markets near your location.
- If you are looking for the best deals in the city on a huge selection of fresh produce, then visit Haymarket: Boston’s historic market for the biggest produce bargain in town!
Staying active is an important part of your overall wellbeing. The Z Center is open this summer, Monday to Friday from 6 am to 9 pm and on weekends from 9 am to 6 pm. You can also take advantage of any of MIT’s facilities to play, swim, and run. Just check out the open recreation schedules for hours of availability.
- If you can’t make it to the Z Center, try taking a virtual group exercise course offered by MIT Recreation. Take a look at the Group Exercise schedule to sign up or visit MIT Recreation’s YouTube page for on demand classes!
- If you want to get ahead on your GIR’s this summer, register for one of Physical Education and Wellness’ summer classes like swimming, hip hop, or cardio dance. Registration opens on June 12th and closes June 20th. Classes start June 25th, so visit their website to sign up!
- Try Boston’s biggest free workout series, Seaport Sweat, running from May through September on the Seaport Common. This year, the series will offer a variety of new classes and instructors like Fusion Pilates, Sculpt that sASS, and Zumba. Explore the other class options and register online. If you’re looking for something closer to Cambridge there are Free Esplanade fitness classes available as well.
- If you’re looking to stay physical and build new connections, join the Midnight Runners Boston group or check out the MIT Running Club for any runs they have going on this summer!
Being active is important, but make sure you’re taking care of your body as well. Try MIT Health’s Acupuncture Service to treat: musculoskeletal pain, migraine-type headaches, menstrual conditions, allergies, certain mental health conditions, and overall your health. Provided onsite, this service is for individuals and their family members who are enrolled in the MIT Student Health Insurance Plan (MIT SHIP).
Summer is a great time to prioritize and reset your sleep hygiene. Learn expert information about caffeine, snoring, GPA, and more in the award-winning Sleep 101 online course (with MIT Touchstone login). You can view topics separately or complete the full program—which includes videos, interactive activities, and games—in about 45 minutes.
There are tons of free events happening daily that you can enjoy over the summer. Visit The Boston Calendar for more details on farmers markets, outdoor performances, and other fun events nearby.
Looking to entertain the children? For Graduate students with Families, attend some of ArtBoston’s free children’s performances around the city.
Need a great spot to relax, play, and connect outdoors? MIT Open Space Programming offers inclusive and eclectic programs, such as concerts, performances, and festivals, all created in collaboration with neighbors in the Cambridge, Kendall Square, and MIT communities. Located next to the Kendall/MIT T stop and Building E38, there is plenty of seating, sunshine, beautiful public art, and all the programs are free.
Want to explore the Esplanade? There’s always something to do on the Esplanade. Whether you are interested in fun family activities, organized sports, or passive recreation, the Esplanade provides opportunities for a variety of activities throughout the summer. Check out what free events are happening along the Charles River by visiting the Esplanade’s event calendar.
Summer RAs (SRAs) in the dorms regularly host events to keep the community connected and engaged. Ask your SRA when the next study break is! If you’re not sure who your SRA is, feel free to reach out to Jacob Oppenheimer or Jas Boyd-Perry, the Area Directors supporting this summer’s residents in Random, Next House, and MacGregor.
Want a great way to practice a language you are learning in a friendly environment and to meet new people from all over MIT and the world? The Language Conversation Exchange platforms (website, Slack space), small language group events and one summer event are available this season to help participants connect with other language learners in the MIT community who want to exchange language or practice a language together.
Looking for a dedicated network for the significant others of MIT students, postdocs, staff and faculty who have relocated to the Boston area this summer? Then check out MIT Spouses & Partners Connect (MS&PC). MS&PC organizes activities that help spouses meet people, discover work and career development opportunities, improve English, share experiences and passions, and get information about living, working, and parenting in Boston.
Interested in a new pop-up market for art, vinyl, and vintage goods? The Brighton Bazaar, founded in September 2021, is a pop-up market in Boston featuring “Art, Vinyl, Vintage, & More!” Described as the love child of a flea market and a craft fair if it was raised by an art gallery and grew up in an Etsy shop. They work with creators and curators to provide pop-up retail space for small local businesses. Visit their Instagram page, @thebrightonbazaar, to find out details about their upcoming hours, locations, and pop up events.
Visit the Wellbeing Calendar for more events happening this summer at MIT or the Relationships Pillar page for more resources to help to connect.
Summer is a great time to pause and reflect on things that you’re grateful for. Practicing gratitude has many proven benefits for your physical and emotional wellbeing. Plus, reflecting on your day and finding appreciation for even the smallest thing is a great way to end your day. Here are some tools to help you practice gratitude:
Set yourself up this summer for a successful fall with these free 30-minute performance coaching workshop recordings from Community Wellness at MIT Health. Learn to maximize your performance, maintain motivation and focus, and improve sleep quality.
Want to discover (or strengthen) your sense of purpose? Whether you have five minutes or five hours to spare, try these activities to help discover what matters to you.
Whatever the structure of your summer, there are opportunities to enhance your skills. We hope that you get to have a rejuvenating summer, whether you’re preparing for a UROP, interning, volunteering, or taking a well deserved break. Whatever your summer plans, consider these five simple but helpful tips from Career Advising & Professional Development.
Visit DoingWell for more tools, like free apps, to clarify your sense of purpose.
- Dean on Call – Available to support students on nights, weekends, and holidays.
- Call: 617-253-1212 *Simply ask to speak with the Dean on Call. If you provide your name and phone number, the Dean on Call will call you back.
- MIT Police – For on-campus emergencies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Call: 617-253-1212 or dial 911
- MIT Health Urgent Care – 617-253-1311 *Available 24/7 by phone
- In person hours:
- Mondays to Fridays – 8 am – 8 pm
- Weekends and Holidays – 10 am – 4 pm
- In person hours:
- MIT Health Urgent Mental Health Concerns – 617-253-2916 *Available 24/7 by phone
For other tips to prioritize your wellbeing visit doingwell.mit.edu.