Individuals study in different ways. Some require a quiet, calm environment while others can take a lot in with background noise. Regardless of what you are studying, it's crucial to take regular breaks in between your studies.

You need to find the right kind of activities to engage in during your break. If you fail to do this, you run the risk of coming back to your studies feeling tired and unfocused. The right kind of break can leave you feeling energized and ready to hit the books again.

How Often Should You Take a Break?

Experts recommend taking breaks approximately every ninety minutes. If you take a break, choose how and what you will engage in for the free time. Whatever you select, be aware of how you feel both during and after the time. 

If you return back to your studies and find it difficult to get back into it, refrain from that activity during your next break going forward.

Get Physical

Go for a Walk

Fresh air is a great way to clear your mind and help you to refresh your brain. You don't need to walk for miles either. A short, brisk walk can have a significant effect and leave you feeling rejuvenated.

Stretch it Out

When you are sitting behind a desk for extended periods, your body begins to feel sore and stiff. Invest in an exercise mat or get down onto the carpet to stretch your muscles out.

A good stretching session can be very relaxing and help you to work out any aches and pains caused by sitting in the same position for a long time.

Meditate

Many people often mistake meditation as being a spiritual practice. Meditation is a powerful tool to focus on your thoughts. Find a quiet place and sit or lie down. Focus on your breathing and choose to push out the busy thoughts that are running through your mind.

Become mindful of what's important to you at the moment, and try to clear your mind of everything else.

Get Creative

Honestly, not everyone is creative. But some individuals that have artistic flair find that when they put pen or paint to paper, they relax instantly, and they are able to unwind significantly.

Whatever artistic talent you are blessed with, if it relaxes you, choose to take a break from your studies and get lost in your artwork for a while.

Gaming Addicts

If online gaming and PC games are what help you to relax, fire up your computer and let yourself get lost in a fantasy world of your choosing.

Better yet, create an online world using a simple game making software. Technical geeks will love this idea. Lovers of everything internet-based and computer-related can allow their creative juices to flow freely with this innovative approach to gaming.

If you've played every game available and are looking for something to challenge your mind, this might be the exact thing that lets you unwind.

Things to Avoid

There are also specific things you should try to avoid while you are taking a break from your studies.

Here are some of the things that will get in the way of letting you focus on your work after a study break.

Avoid Junk Food or Unhealthy Take-Outs

Plain and simply, junk food is not nutritious. It will comfort you for a little while but ultimately leave you feeling bloated and unhealthy afterward.

In the same way, food high in sugar will give you an instant high. Always remember, what goes up, must come down. When you do come down, you're more than likely to feel worse than you did when you indulged in the sugary treat.

Refrain from a Long Sleep

Some people can take a quick twenty-minute power nap and come back better than ever. But sadly, this doesn't apply to everyone. Power napping needs to be just that; a quick, short nap.

Try to refrain from taking a long nap in between your studies. Most times, you will return to the books feeling more tired.

Limit Your Caffeine Intake

Much like sugar, too much caffeine will induce a feeling of false clarity. This is, however, short-lived. Caffeine is a short-term fix for tired, restless individuals. If you are an excessive coffee drinker, you are setting yourself up for a significant downer once the effects of the caffeine wear off.

Final Thoughts

Always keep in mind that there isn't a one size fits all approach to taking a break from studies. What relaxes some students can very well send others off into a flat spin, getting their minds firing on all cylinders.

Listen to your brain, watch the signs, and remember to breathe.