Study sessions are no joke. When we’re tired or frustrated our willpower diminishes and we’re more likely to reach for sugar, energy drinks, or the pillow. Studies show that people who take breaks are more productive, and, vice versa, not taking any breaks will make you LESS productive. Here are some quick tips on how to correctly take a study break without the headache.
Knowing when to take a break is the first step. Short breaks between 5-15 minutes are recommended about every hour. If you’ve been hitting the books for at least 2 hours, then you deserve a longer break of 30 minutes. Try setting a timer to tell you when to start breaking and when to stop breaking. This is called the pomodoro technique.
Speaking of your phone, try to stay off of that during this time. Giving your eyes a break will help your stamina. Avoiding social media and TV are also recommended. Try getting out of your chair instead and going for a walk. A stretch, change of scenery, or fresh air will revive your senses and give your brain a rest.
You can also tidy up your workspace or room. This clean environment will encourage more organized thought. After you’ve moved yourself around and moved your stuff around, you could attempt to meditate. This can be hard to do, though, and is totally optional. Willing your brain to turn off may be just as hard as willing it to turn on.
As for food, try to avoid large meals. Heavy dishes will just make you sleepy. Opt for snacks with glucose in them (fruit, nuts, hummus, veggies, or a protein bar). Avoid junk food, high sugar, excessive caffeine, and energy drinks.
Now that you have the proper knowledge for proactive study breaks, please enjoy this motivational GIF to help you ace that final exam. You got this!