Rest, Mindfulness & Student Wellness – EP 32 w/ Dr. Sudha Wadhwani

About this episode

Dr. Sudha Wadhwani discusses the importance of rest and mindfulness for student wellness and academic performance.

Today on REM Reward, Ryan is joined by Dr. Sudha Wadhwani, a student wellness and mental health advocate who has helped bring creative approaches to rest and mindfulness onto college campuses. Through initiatives like Sereni-tea events and the introduction of nap pods in university libraries, Dr. Wadhwani has worked to create spaces where students can slow down, recharge, and prioritize their well-being in the middle of demanding academic environments. In this episode, they talk about the growing issue of burnout and sleep deprivation among students, how mindfulness and rest can improve emotional resilience and academic performance, and what colleges can do to shift campus culture toward healthier, more sustainable habits. We also discuss the impact of nap pods and student wellness programming, and practical advice for students trying to balance achievement with mental health and recovery. LINKS: Dr. Wadhwani Psychology Today Connect with REM Reward: ► Website: remreward.org ► Instagram: @rem_reward Listen to our podcasts on other platforms and make sure to subscribe/follow! • ⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • ⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Google Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠…

People in this episode

Host: Ryan

Guest: Dr. Sudha Wadhwani

Topics covered

• student wellness
• mindfulness
• burnout
• sleep deprivation
• academic performance
• mental health

Keywords

• student wellness
• mindfulness
• burnout
• nap pods
• academic performance
• mental health
• rest

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Psychology Today, REM Reward

More episodes of REM Reward

• Caffeine, Screens & Teen Sleep: What’s Really Keeping Teens Awake – EP 31 w/ Dr. Christina Calamaro · April 16, 2026 · 30 min
• Sleep, Food & Energy: Building Habits That Actually Last – EP 30 w/ Angela Goldman · March 15, 2026 · 27 min
• The Power of Light: Circadian Rhythms, Sleep Inertia & Better Mornings – EP 29 w/ Dr. Helen Burgess · February 15, 2026 · 38 min
• Circadian Rhythms Explained: Why Timing Matters for Health – EP 28 w/ Dr. Erik Herzog · January 16, 2026 · 21 min
• The Mysteries of Sleep & Dreaming – EP 27 w/ Dr. Wanda Willard · December 16, 2025 · 19 min
• Inside ‘Where Children Sleep’: Childhood, Culture & Inequality – EP 26 w/ James Molliso · November 16, 2025 · 13 min