One week ago, I sat writing this blog on a balcony overlooking the beautiful blend of blues and swirling waves of the Atlantic Ocean. Now, it is dorm room city, and my view is not nearly as captivating. So it’s safe to say I’m down in the doldrums coming off a spring break high and placing studying at the bottom of my to-do list. Alas, paper deadlines and exams are approaching and I have no choice but to hit the books (figuratively, to my despair). That’s why this week I am taking study breaks that let my brain take a break, but still allow me to jump right back in to productivity.
1. Blast A Favorite Song: Hallelujah! Singing is good for ya! NPR reported that, “Singing aloud leaves you with a sense of levity and contentedness.” When you are overwhelmed with formulas and theories, stop. Hit play. And let your lungs do the work. If you’re feeling especially antsy, get up and dance. If people stare, more power to you.
2. Visualization: Finding your “happy place” does wonders in terms of stress relief. An online advocate for holistic ways to reduce stress says, “Your imagination can be a powerful tool to help you combat stress, tension, and anxiety.”Take a few minuets to stretch out and daydream while your worries unwind. Be sure to set an alarm so your mental catnap doesn’t turn in to a full on nap.
3. Eat Healthy Finger Food: Let me make it known that I am not advocating stress and/or binge eating, but when your stomach starts grumbling, don’t ignore it. Grab a juicy piece of fruit or some veggies and lite ranch for a study break snack. These are guilt-free food items that you have to eat with your hands. And we all know we what a shame it would be to get orange juice all over that textbook.
4. Read for Pleasure: Exercise your mind in a way that doesn’t make you want to pull your hair out. This is a great study break because you are still in a “study” frame of mind – awake, paying attention to what you’re reading, and retaining it. However, with a book of your choice, you can relax. Limit yourself to a chapter so you don’t get carried away.
5. Make/Take A Call: When the phone rings, answer it! And share this philosophy with your friends. Who doesn’t love an unexpected call from your favorite people? If someone is on your mind, call them. Take the time to invest in a conversation, catch up, or plan your next adventure when the tests are done and you finally reunite. Now that is something to look forward to.
6. Caution: Avoid Web Surfing!Yes, retail therapy exists, but that does not make it ok to spend an hour deciding if you should order those shoes to go with the dress you just purchased. And trust me, Facebook has not changed since the last time you checked. I advise using the Sell Control app, free to download, which blocks you from going on your favorite time-wasters. This revolutionized my study sessions.
7. Catch Up on a Favorite Sitcom: Try to shoot for the half hour shows, and note that Hulu.com will cut the commercials and save you valuable minutes. Laughing at the clever comic timing of those one-liners will also do you good. Modern Family, anyone?
8. Primp: You feel defeated, exhausted, hopeless. You cannot force your eyes to read another sentence. Solution? Mascara. Take five or ten minuets to put your hair in a cute braid, change into your favorite shirt, or add a little blush to the apples of your cheeks. If you look good, you feel good, and then you do good.
9. Respond to Emails: Even when the long nights of studying begin, the emails do not stop accumulating. You have to get to them at some point. Whether you need to respond to your mom’s emails about how to avoid the freshman fifteen or just weed through junk, a quick break is waiting for you at Gmail.
10. Exercise! This one is my favorite. Working up a sweat lets those endorphins run wild and give you a great physical break from sitting in front of texts books. Take on the workout of your choice and after a quick shower you will be focused and ready for round two. Bring it on.
Research:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=97320958
http://www.holisticonline.com/stress/stress_visualization.htm
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Illinois chapter.