Don’t ignore the importance of taking breaks throughout your study period. Sometimes we get caught up in the flow of finishing an essay, or trying to get to the last question before we close the books. But by taking regular breaks you can actually boost your performance.
Whether it is a micro break, a lunch break or a walk around the park, it will have a huge benefit to your wellbeing and productivity.
Taking small breaks doesn’t seem like the obvious answer. We all talk about taking a holiday or getting away for a weekend, however, the benefits of small breaks are immense and goes a long way to reducing stress levels.
Here are a few examples of small beneficial breaks:
🌿 Relaxing & Social Breaks: Check in with a friend for a chat or a walk, as this can go a long way to retiring your mental and psychical functional systems back to their baseline. It will reset your mood and promote positive wellbeing by reducing the stress load.
🌿 Planned Break: Set an alarm on your phone to prompt you to step away from your work. The anticipation of a planned break will motivate you to stick to it.
🌿 Physical Break: Book into a gym session, yoga class, or arrange to meet a friend for a walk. Moving your body and getting some fresh air will help ground you and allow you to tackle the next study session with a clear mind.
🌿 Food Break: It’s super important to stay well hydrated and nourished to optimise your study. Take the time to prepare a healthy snack or meal, and sit down to enjoy every mouthful. Your brain uses a lot of energy, something we take for granted, so make sure to feed it well.
🌿 Mindfulness Break: Sometimes the stress of a challenging topic or assessment can create blockages that we can’t move passed. If this is happening to you, the best thing to do is walk away and try to relax your mind. You have all the knowledge you just need to let it flow. Try some breath work or meditation to get you centred and relaxed.