A Perfect Guide to Take a Break From Studying

Reviewing the lessons, finishing the homework and assignments, taking tests, etc requires time, dedication, energy, and effort from the student.

When all of the hard work is going on, it’s essential for you to take breaks from time to time. Taking breaks can help the student learn better and care for their health.

There are numerous benefits such as better concentration, reduced stress, etc. However, taking a break from studying can be hectic since you don’t want to waste time on something that you don’t know well.

So, read on to understand how you can take the breaks from studying and make it practical for yourself.

Why Taking Breaks Are Crucial For You?

Sitting for a long time can cause fatigue and block your mind from getting any new information.

The human mind is not trained to focus on something for so long, also there is a limit on how much information you can grasp.

Overdoing it can lead to burnout and you lose your interest in studying. Not just that, this also causes health and mental issues.

Taking breaks from time to time can prevent such burnouts. You can take breaks depending on how much you want, you don’t have to take a 90-minute nap.

As long as you can come back to studying with a fresh mind, motivation, and a better mood. It’s worth it. Also, you should not feel guilty about taking the breaks

It’s good for your health, brain and makes you better at focusing on your studies.

What Are The Signs When You Need To Take Breaks?

There is no doubt that studying is crucial, but breaks are important too. However, there are some signs that show that your body needs a break.

You can understand better if you track these signs,

You Are Not Retaining Information

Since your brain is not too focused, at some point it will start losing and you find yourself reading things again and again.

If you are doing that with paragraphs but still can’t figure out what it is saying. It’s a sign that your brain is tired and it does not comprehend what you are studying.

You Are Feeling The Coffee

While drinking coffee can help you in feeling fresh and help in improving your focus. However, it has its own effect when you drink too much.

There is a limit to caffeine that you can digest. That’s why if you are drinking too much coffee and feeling it in your system, you need a break.

You Are Enable To Solve Problem

Regardless of how many times you try, you are not able to solve one problem. The endless cycle continues, and you feel like you don’t know where you are going wrong.

You might be over-exhausting yourself and that’s why you need to take a step back.

Your Eyes Are Twitching

Studying too long has its effect on your eyesight. It can make you lose power, and you might have to wear glasses if you are not wearing one.

However the sign you can consider here that your eyes are too stressed, you can feel them twitching.

It happens when you are staring too long and it’s causing strain.

Ideas That You Can Try For Taking Breaks From Study

According to Robert Pozen who is a working senior lecturer at the MIT Sloan School of Management, working for75 to 90 minutes can take the brain into two domes, i.e. consolidation and learning or focuses

When you take a break for 15 minutes, it helps your brain to consulate information. Also, it helps in better information retention.

Here are some of the beneficial ways and ideas that can help you out.

Do The Meditation

Meditation is a good way that can help you focus better on your studies.

It also helps in reducing stress, fight with depression, lower stress and make you feel lighter.

Mediation can improve your health, insomnia, and high blood pressure.

When you study, take a moment for yourself, Now sit quietly and focus on your breathing.

There are a lot of videos that you will find on youtube. Or, you can download the app and do the meditation as you can follow the steps.

Have A Snack

Snacking is a good option to consider, it can help you in giving the boost of the energy level.

However, it’s important that you take the right kind of snacks. It will make your health better and improve your concentration.

With the right diet, you can boost productivity, ability to focus and feel in a good mood.

You can take dark chocolates, almonds and popcorns are some of the options that go well for munching.

However, make sure you are not consuming anything that is the wrong kind of snack. Don’t eat anything which has too much sugar.

Take A Short Walk

When you study for a long time, take a small break and go for a walk. Go outside, get some fresh air and it will help you in getting the change of scenery.

However it can be tiring to go outside, but it will help you in getting a quick fix. You can feel better and it will improve your mood. Also, it’s good for your health as well.

Drink Water & Stay Hydrated

If you want your brain to work properly, it’s important that you stay hydrated all the time.

You should drink at least 2 liters of water per day. However it can be boring to take the normal water, so you can add citrus fruit, strawberry slices, or raspberries so you can make it interesting.

If you want to make sure that you are hydrated. For that you can pinch the back of the skin, and see if it’s slowing to get back to normal position, it means your body needs more water.

Tidy Things Up

You can clean up the surroundings as it can surprisingly improve your productivity.

Not only is it hard for you to focus when your surroundings are a mess, but also you lose focus. It’s not good for hygiene as well.

You can take a break from the study and do some basic cleaning, for example putting away the piled-up clothes on a chair or cleaning the desk.

Take A Nap

You don’t have to make this a four-hour snooze fest. However, taking a nap for 10 or 20 minutes can be helpful for your brain and reset.

According to the research done by Case Western Reserve University, taking a nap for such length can boost up productivity and make you more focused.

However make sure you are not taking more than 20 minutes, as it will make you feel groggy and unfocused. Also, it can trouble your sleeping pattern.

For the best, you can set an alarm before you take a nap.

Read What You Like

Well, it might be overwhelming to read something when you are studying. However, the important key here is to keep It fun and something unrelated to what you are working on.

You can pick an interesting novel, fictional book, or magazine. You can choose something funny as it will help you in gearing up your mind and switch to creative mode.

Also put the alarm, so you know when to stop. Sometimes you start reading something which is too interesting and you don’t want to put it away.

This will help in reminding yourself that you can stop and get back to your work.

What Are The Wrong Ways That You Should Avoid?

Taking a break from studying is good for health and the brain. However, sometimes it doesn’t seem fulfilling and effective that much.

The reason is quite similar, it’s because you are not taking the right breaks. These are some of the ideas you must avoid when you are planning to take breaks.

Texting your friend or calling someone you know as a break can be a good way to get a complete change of scenario.

However, using social media is not what you should be considering. Social media like Facebook, Instagram, etc are designed to hold your attention for a long time.

It’s increased attention-hungry platforms which can be highly distracting.

Using social media is like a bottomless ocean where you just keep scrolling mindlessly. Also, it’s a waste of time and you can lose focus.

Using TV Or Streaming Shows

Music is a good compliment for studying, where tv is definitely a no-no option.

The shows and series are designed to hold the attention, it makes it hard to leave the interesting show in the middle and get back to your work.

It’s hard to resist the temptation, and the best way to not lose yourself in it is to avoid it as much as you can.

Eating Junk Foods

Consuming anything that includes too much sugar high or energy low can be unhealthy.

You can take a fresh apple as it works similar to a cup of coffee. So avoid the foods that make you feel sleepy and tired.

However, to make sure you don’t get the temptation to eat something like this is to control the place where you study.

Don’t keep junk foods handy and make sure you don’t have such foods when you are studying.

It takes extra effort to get up and get a packet of chips when you are tired from studying. However, you can set something as a reward once you get your work done.

Tips That You Should Consider For Taking Effective Breaks

Well, one of the reasons why people feel guilty when they take breaks is because it doesn’t feel right and worth it.

There is a huge chance that you are not utilizing the break or doing something that makes it not so effective.

Don’t Take Long Breaks

When you are taking a break, make sure it’s not long or too strict. It can be hard to come back to study when you take long breaks.

It can make you feel lazy, break your concentration and you don’t feel like studying. That’s why you should keep your break no longer than 10 to 15 minutes.

Take Regular Breaks

Set your alarm for every 20 or 30 minutes. Make sure you are taking a break every fixed minute. However, you can manage this on your own, depending on how long you can study.

But make sure you have frequent breaks. Keep it short so you can do the stretching, relax and move.

Don’t Sit For Long Hours

Studying can be hard on your physical health. Sitting for long periods makes your health degrade, causing pain in your neck and shoulder.

That’s why it’s important for you to take breaks more frequently. Do stretching when you have the time.

Have Something Nutritious Snacks & Stay Hydrated

Make sure you are taking healthy snacks when you are studying. It can help you in your body to stay healthy and get a better focus.

Also, make sure you are not avoiding water. Keep a bottle around you, so you can drink water, fortunately. It’s important that you stay hydrated.

Avoid Study With Empty Stomach

It can be difficult to study when you have a stomach without proper food. It’s important to keep your stomach full, at least enough so you can focus.

Don’t overeat either, it can make you feel lethargic and sleepy. Take light meals, and healthy food so you can work.

Create Your Routine

When you are studying, make sure you have a routine for that. Don’t sit randomly and anytime.

When you have the schedule, you can be more prepared and focused. Also, it gives you more time to focus on other aspects. You can carry out some hobbies, follow a healthy lifestyle and exercise on time.

Use Music Instead Of Tv

When you feel like your mind needs something to focus on, or for better conversation Use music, tune the good music and try to make sure it’s not something with lyrics. Don’t use the Tv, as it can be distracting.

Music also helps in boosting concentration, you can feel much more focused and reduce anxiety.