Study Breaks Not to Feel Guilty About

With finals right around the corner, the time has come for college students to get their head in the books and dedicate most free time to some serious study sessions. It can be a challenge to concentrate, especially at a time of year when spring is just starting to show its face. Instead of getting distracted with unproductive things, take a break from the homework and try some of these activities that will be helpful to your studying.

That’s right-take a nap!

            Exhausted and trying to focus? Chances are you’re not retaining the information that’s being studied if all your mind is fixated on is sleep. Taking naps can be beneficial for the energy it provides you, along with the restoration of alertness for retaining exam material. Along with that, the brief time spent sleeping will relax your mind so that you are prepared to pick up where you left off without feeling overwhelmed. According to the National Sleep Foundation, a sufficient nap should be no longer than 20-30 minutes-so set an alarm and avoid neglecting your studies by thinking you need to catch any extra Z’s!

Clear your mind

            It may sound silly, but take a few minutes from studying to try some simple meditation. Sit down in a quiet place, dim the lights, close your eyes and let yourself think of nothing but serene places. Imagine a beach or any kind of calm location, and then focus on what you might see, smell, or hear if you were there. Try to sit totally still, letting your body relax itself until you feel completely rested. Meditation such as this is known to increase productivity, help with concentration and decrease the tendency to stress out. Yoga is a common form of meditation, and one of the most effective ways of soothing a busy mind. Once you’re nice and tranquil, get back to the books!

 Exercise

            Nothing clears the head like some fresh air and a nice jog outside. Even if the weather isn’t suitable for working out, hit up a gym on campus. Most forms of exercise do the job of decreasing anxiety, which is common among college students nervously cramming for finals. Exercising also puts you in a much more positive mood overall, so you can defeat any bad attitude that’s keeping you from studying effectively.  Whether it’s walking, jogging, swimming or any other kind of fitness- exercising makes the perfect study break!

Eat a healthy snack

            It’s pretty difficult to concentrate on studying with an empty stomach growling at you, so give yourself a few minutes to grab a piece of fruit or any other nutritious snack. Believe it or not, choosing to eat something healthy in between study sessions makes all the difference to your energy levels, focus and attitude. The effects of eating unhealthy snacks include fatigue and crankiness-so save that bag of chips sitting in your dorm for later. Anything that contains a sufficient amount of whole grain or fiber is good for increasing energy, so consider munching on things like crackers or peanuts as opposed to cookies and Pringles. Pair your snack with a glass of water and you’ll be all set!