You can make a huge difference in your child’s exam preparation by giving them ten minutes of fun after an hour of hard study. You have come to the right place if you are looking for effective stress-buster ideas in between study breaks. Keep reading.
The days leading up to the annual board exams are a stressful time for most households. The preparation process goes into overdrive for teens, from setting timetables to setting hourly goals. Parents are also feeling the pressure and often see themselves keeping an eye on their children, cooking healthy meals, giving motivational talks, etc.
As hectivity rises, we conveniently overlook the importance of mini-breaks. Encourage your child to take a break between hours of studying. It is not just important to take breaks to improve concentration, but it is also important to improve retention as well. Giving your mind a break with small distractions can help you be more productive. The following article shares some great ways to reduce stress during exam season. Feel free to sit back and relax!
Benefits of Study Breaks
There is no doubt that study breaks are beneficial, but they are also backed by science. Researchers at the National Institutes of Health announced in 2021 that short breaks are essential to learning. The researchers found that wakeful rest (i.e., taking breaks) improved the retention of new skills and information. Taking a break refreshes the mind and allows students to approach a problem in a completely new way. If they enjoy taking short walks or listening to music to relax, encourage them to take short breaks to prevent mental fatigue. During the exam season, this is especially important.
What is the Optimal Duration of a Break?
There is no doubt that every child is unique, but one thing they all have in common is that they need a break sometimes. A child’s study pattern and level of focus determine the number of breaks required during study hours.
It varies from child to child how much attention they can devote to studying. The attention span of some children may be as short as 20 minutes, while others may be able to stay focused for hours.
To help your child decide when to take a break during study hours, you need to understand his study pattern and attention span. After a couple of hours of studying, your child might need a 10-minute break or a 5-minute break every hour. Plan the study breaks to ensure he gets a healthy balance of breaks and study time by understanding his pattern of study.
Effective Study Break Ideas for Students
It is good to give yourself a study break, but be sure to stay on track. It is fine to check your texts or social media accounts for a few minutes, as long as you do not spend an hour searching for memes.
We have rounded up a few study breaks that you can take without using a smartphone:
Music Heals Everything
There is nothing better than listening to music to calm a soul and relax a mind. Put on headphones and let your child listen to his favourite music. Your child may prefer calming music or pop music, so let him listen to his favourite playlist before he gets back to his books.
Play a Refreshing Game
It is not nice to see children glued to gadgets. You can encourage your child to play basketball, cricket, football, and badminton with you or his friends instead. Sports will keep your child physically fit during the exams, which is just as important as mental strength. Exams are not just about the mind; they involve the body, mind, and spirit as well.
Take a Quick Power Nap
What are you most likely to do on your way back from work when sitting in a bus or cab? There can never be enough emphasis placed on the power of a power nap. The same applies to children as well.
Let your kid sleep during his study break if he needs a nap! In between study hours, he can rejuvenate his brain with a power nap.
Breathe Fresh Air
Stress is common among teens, especially during last-minute revisions. You can help your child relax by practising a few breathing exercises together. It is impossible to beat the idea of breathing in some fresh air. After sitting at his desk all day, the outdoors will be a welcome change! You can help your child focus on his studies by encouraging him to take slow, deep breaths before getting back to studying.
Have a Bowl of Fruits
Freshly cut fruits are always a stress-buster! Let your teen choose his/her favourite fruits. He/she can assist you in making a fruit salad by chopping them up. This will make him/her independent in the future for his/her good. Make it extra tasty by topping it with dates, custard, and honey. Healthy yet tasty food is all that a child needs!
Let your child enjoy these activities after hours of study and give them the break they deserve. Ensure they face the exams with confidence and avoid the exam blues!
Also published on Medium.