What Constitutes a Break
As we near the end of the school year, seniors contract senioritis, eighth graders get ready to enter high school, and the rest of us are running out of steam. It can feel hopeless to think of all the homework, APs, final projects, and exams to complete. But how can we reduce some of these worries and feel less fatigued from the start? How can we be our most productive and produce the best results in our personal, school, and work lives without reaching burnout?
According to the American Psychological Association, the solution to preventing burnout is breaks. Several studies have shown that people who take breaks, regardless of length, produce better work and find themselves with more energy (Weir). Charlotte Fritz, PhD, explains breaks to be preventative, in that when we approach issues we can feel more motivated to get through them, rather than frustrated (Weir). Additionally, they are an intervention before our frustration and burnout even begins (Weir).
Several studies, such as one completed by William S. Helton, have indicated that students who took a break, when compared to a group of students who kept working for a long period of time, performed better in their given tasks (Weir). This short break allowed students to give their brains a rest, and come back to the problem or tasks with new eyes and intentions.
According to YongHa Park, PhD, not only do breaks help students, employees, and everyone in between refocus and increase efficiency, but breaks have also been proven to improve mood (Weir). These breaks do not have a specified set of criteria, as long as the break allows you to completely separate from the work at hand. For example, chatting with friends, taking a walk, or eating are all good choices for breaks (Weir).
In conclusion, as much as it can seem at times that you should keep plowing through work, it is proven best for your health, both mental and physical, to take a break and let your brain process and reassess.To some people, breaks can feel like a hassle. People worry that they will lose their workflow, ideas, or valuable time. While a thought or two could slip through, one could produce even more when they came back and allowed their mind to process. However cliche it may be, the importance of validating one’s limitations and knowing when to stop is a skill that can help not only with day to day homework, but future tasks, jobs, and career paths.
Works Cited