August 4, 2026

Hi friends!

As summer begins to wind down, I’ve been thinking about what really leaves us feeling restored. Many of us take vacations during the summer, and while time away from work is valuable, it may not be the biggest reason we come back feeling better and more restored.

One idea that has really resonated with me this summer comes from an article by our WashU colleague, Olga Kipnis. She suggests that recovery from burnout and stress isn’t simply about removing work; rather, it is intentionally adding the things that bring us energy, purpose, connection, and joy.

Maybe you added evening walks this summer to enjoy the beautiful weather. You took that vacation you have been thinking about since the cold, dreary March day you planned it.  Maybe you spent more time with friends while everyone’s schedules were a little more relaxed or spent more lazy mornings together with family. Perhaps you picked up your bike again, worked in your garden, read a good book, traveled somewhere new, or simply enjoyed coffee on the porch before the day began.

Instead of asking, “What did I do less of this summer?” ask yourself, “What did I add?”

The activities we love outside of work refill the tank that work naturally draws from. They remind us who we are beyond our jobs, reconnect us with the people who matter most, and help us return with renewed perspective. When we come back restored, our patients and colleagues notice. Our colleagues notice. Our families notice.

As summer comes to a close, I encourage you to think about what you added over the past few months that made you feel more like yourself. Then ask an even more important question: How can I keep some of those additions in my life, even after summer ends? Because the goal isn’t simply to work less. It’s to intentionally make room for more of what restores us. Those additions may be one of the most powerful antidotes to burnout we have.

As you flip through the photos in “Where in the World is WUDA,” I hope you’ll notice that restoration comes in many forms. Each picture is a reminder of the people, places, and experiences our colleagues added to their summers that helped fill their cups.

Yours in Wellness,

Erin

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What’s ahead?

Aug. 31 | Momentum for Mindfulness series begins

Sept. 15 – Oct. 15 | Hispanic Heritage Month

Sept. 24 | Inaugural Michael S. Avidan Research Symposium — RSVP required

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Where in the World was WUDA this summer?

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