The Best Study Breaks

For many of us, final exams are coming up. Which usually means long hours of studying, a lot of time spent indoors, and not much sleep. So it makes sense that our brains are feeling a little worn out. Sometimes the best cure for the finals blues is taking a break. Here are the best ways to pause your studying in a way that will rejuvenate you both physically and mentally. Have a healthy snack. I often find that when I’m having trouble focusing, it is because I’m hungry. Once I have a delicious piece of fruit, I feel ready to study again. Food can give you the energy to complete the rest of your work. Also, if you pick a snack that you particularly enjoy, it can motivate you to finish quickly, without procrastination. But make sure to eat healthy because if you binge on junk food, you might actually lose focus, therefore defeating the entire purpose of your study break. For more information on healthy study snacks, check out Maddi’s article. Do a quick workout. Sometimes being sedentary for too long can put you in a mental rut. But luckily, even brief exercise sessions can help the blood start flowing back to your brain again. If you want a micro-break, a few jumping jacks or even push-ups will do. If that’s not your style, perhaps try a simple arm or leg stretch. I personally like to stand up straight and reach for the sky. If you have been studying for a couple of hours and would like a longer break, follow some YouTube tutorials. You can find everything from yoga to cardio workouts. Check out popular YouTuber Cassey Ho of Blogilates. Talk to a friend. Laugh and have fun for a little while! Chatting with a friend usually helps you forget all the stress of studying. In fact, studies have shown that social interaction really does make people happier. A text or a phone call is okay, but stay away from Facebook because you might get sucked in and continue scrolling down your newsfeed forever. Meditate. If you meditate, your break will almost definitely make you feel more relaxed. Sit in a comfortable, quiet place. Close your eyes. Breathe in and out very slowly. Try to focus on just your breathing and nothing else. For these few moments, you can pretend school doesn’t exist. But try not to fall asleep! You don’t want to accidentally wake up 4 hours later.