Live Longer Habits

Taking short breaks while awake can help strengthen new memories. Just a few minutes of resting with your eyes closed can boost your memory, maybe even as much as a full night’s sleep. The positive effects of these breaks on memory are similar to what you get from sleeping after learning something. 

Studies have shown this works for many different kinds of learning. When you rest, your mind can reactivate recently learned information. Plus, exercising after you study can really help improve your memory and how well you remember things. 

10-minute break

A 2022 study found that taking a 10-minute break between study sessions can greatly enhance how well you recall information later. This is better than diving straight into another task, even if that means studying again right away. 

Another study from 2016 revealed that if people studied before going to bed and then quickly reviewed what they learned the next morning, they could remember 50% more of the information. So, having a good sleep helps your brain sort and store what you’ve learned, making it easier to recall later. 

For your waking breaks to be effective like sleep, they need to be as peaceful as possible. That means no music, no screens, and no chatting. Just enjoy some quiet time, maybe with your eyes closed, or do something simple like taking a walk or gazing out of the window. 

Exercising can also be beneficial

A study showed that even just six to ten minutes of moderate exercise can boost your working memory and improve your overall thinking skills, such as planning and prioritising. 

So, the next time you’re trying to learn something important, like preparing for a presentation, add in some 10-minute breaks. Practice what you need to learn, then relax for a bit. Give your brain a chance to digest and strengthen the new information. 

Think of taking breaks as an important part of your learning process, not a distraction. As researchers have pointed out, these moments of rest are vital for our thinking and should not be seen as wasted time.

Source: inc.com