Why are breaks beneficial?
Taking regular breaks from your assignments will prevent study fatigue and keep you focused longer. It will allow you to keep your mind fresh and increase your creativity, as well as maintaining your attention and boosting your motivation.
Here are 5 tips on how to make the most out of your breaks:
Duration
Taking several shorter breaks is often more beneficial than a few longer ones, since a longer break might decrease your motivation to return to your studies. A good pattern to follow is to take shorter breaks, between 5 to 15 minutes every hour, and a longer break, at least 30 minutes, every 2 to 4 hours, depending on assignment and your own capacity.
Get up and move!
Make sure to leave the computer during your breaks – regardless of the duration of the break. Sitting for too long will lead to stiffness and tiredness, which will not help you to work efficiently. Stretching or walking will increase your blood flow and give you new energy. Take your longer breaks outside to get some fresh air. It is invigorating and helps to improve mental well-being.
Take a power nap!
When you are feeling extra tired, a power nap might be exactly what you need to regain your energy. Aim for a 15 to 20 minutes power nap for maximum efficiency. This is a relaxing way to regain your productivity. Reducing stress and improving cognitive function are some of the benefits of taking a shorter power nap. Don’t forget to set the alarm clock though…
Change assignment!
It is not unusual that we work on several assignments. By changing to another task, you will work other parts of your brain, making it possible to rest at the same time. Regardless of if you wanna tackle another assignment or run errands around your house, the same effect will be achieved.
Meditation
Meditation has proven to be effective in reducing stress, controlling anxiety and improving mental health. There are tons of different types of meditation available, try different ones and find which one works best for you.
Hopefully this post has given you some useful and valuable tips on how to make the most out of your breaks. It is not lazy or inefficient to take a break during long study sessions, on the contrary – it is a necessity. Allow yourself to take breaks and improve your studies!
