November 8, 2021

November 8, 2021

How Taking Frequent Breaks Can Improve Memory

Learning requires a lot of brainpower. Comprehension, focus, and memory all play a crucial role in how well a student absorbs information. Without understanding and recall, the ability to learn new things is near impossible, especially for students who are learning something brand new without a baseline to operate from. One traditional way of examining a student’s knowledge is through quizzes, tests, and exams.

When students know they have an upcoming test, they often study their hearts out to ensure they get a good grade. Cramming, pulling an all-nighter, studying for hours on end – these methods have been used by many a student to prep for tests. However, taking in too much information without giving the brain a chance to pause and recoup may not be the best course of action when it comes to succeeding academically. So why are breaks important in learning? Let’s look at how taking frequent breaks can improve memory.

What are the benefits of taking breaks?
One huge benefit of taking breaks from study is reducing the amount of stress and anxiety a student feels. Staring at books or screens for hours on end can heighten stress levels and make it difficult for students to properly process information. Stress has been shown to hinder the brain’s short-term memory, as well as its ability to turn short-term memories into long-term ones. Taking breaks can alleviate these stress levels, and thus improve the way a student recalls their coursework.

Taking breaks from work can also help to foster creativity and boost performance. The old “take a step back” approach works because it allows a student to clear their mind and come back with a new perspective. This leads to the possibility to coming up with new ideas when they return to the task at hand.

Taking breaks can also help to boost overall health, which plays a role in learning and memory. If the brain doesn’t get the rest it needs, it will not function properly. Pausing study to take a break or even a nap can actually help to restore the mind to its sharpest level and enhance a student’s ability to absorb new information.

How does taking breaks help studying?
Studying for hours on end can lead to “study fatigue”, which will undoubtedly affect how much information a student processes. It’s easy to feel burnt out after long bouts of studying, which can lead to a decreased ability to concentrate. And when concentration goes out the window, so does any chance at remembering the material you’re studying.

Can taking a break help you focus?
Being able to focus is vital for taking in and retaining information. While taking breaks may seem like something that would break focus, the opposite may be true. Some studies have found that the longer a person studies without a break, the easier it for them to lose their focus. The brain needs time to rest and refresh for it to stay focused on the task at hand.

How does taking breaks help memory?
Studies have shown that taking breaks from studying or working can actually strengthen the connections between neurons in the brain, thus helping memory. While you take a step back, the brain makes new connections about the most recent activity and helps to store those memories better. Some studies done on mice have shown that mice that took longer breaks between learning periods were able to remember better, both during the daily experiment as well as the next day.

How long should study breaks last?
There are right ways and wrong ways to approach study breaks. So what are some of the most effective methods?

The Pomodoro method is one popular way to optimize memory, information retention, and learning abilities. This method alternates between focused work sessions and frequent short breaks to help keep the brain from becoming burnt out or fatigued. The method works on a 25/5-minute timeline, meaning that you work on the task at hand for 25 minutes and then take a five-minute break. After repeating this cycle four times, you’ll take a 15–30 minute break and begin again. The Pomodoro method is designed to break down work into smaller and more easily managed chunks while also refreshing the brain throughout the study session.

Other experts suggest that a break between 15–20 minutes might be best for refreshing the brain; however, no two people are alike. You’ll need to experiment with different break lengths to find the one that works best for you.

What should you do during a study break?
While there is no single “best” activity recommended for study breaks, research has shown that certain ways of spending your break may be more beneficial than others. For example, getting in a quick bout of exercise may help to refresh the brain and restore focus and energy levels. Practicing relaxation or mindfulness techniques such as meditation may also help improve information retention while studying. 

While cramming for a test or exam, or just working on the same project for hours on end, may seem more productive, it could actually hinder performance and memory. Taking short breaks while studying is the way to go when it comes to retaining information and staying focused on the task at hand.

 

Featured image by Jaikishan Patel on Unsplash