The best study breaks are short, screen-free and physical: stand up, stretch, walk, drink water, or look out of a window. Avoid breaks that pull you into feeds or games, because they are hard to stop and leave your attention more scattered than before.
What should you do on a study break?
A good break is easy to start, easy to end and gives your eyes and mind something different to do. Try one of these:
- Stand, stretch your back and shoulders, and roll your neck.
- Walk to the kitchen for water or a snack, or step outside for a minute.
- Look at something far away to rest your eyes from the page or screen.
- Do a few squats, push-ups or a quick walk around the block.
- Tidy your desk and write down what you will do in the next session.
Does the type of break matter?
There is some evidence that it does. In a McMaster University experiment, students who took three 5-minute exercise breaks during a 50-minute video lecture paid more attention and scored higher on immediate and delayed tests than students who played a computer game or took no breaks (Fenesi et al., 2018). A separate McMaster University thesis found that stretching breaks during an online lecture improved immediate quiz performance compared with social media breaks or no breaks (thesis summary). These were lecture settings with university students, so they are a guide, not a guarantee for every student and subject.
| Break type | Good or bad? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Stretching or light exercise | Good | Linked to better attention and quiz results in the studies above |
| Water, snack, fresh air | Good | Easy to end when the timer goes |
| Quiet chat with a friend | Fine | Keep it short and off the subject |
| Social media or short videos | Avoid | Hard to stop, and showed worse results than stretching |
| Games | Avoid | Same trap, and worse than exercise breaks in the 2018 study |
How long should a break be?
With a 25-minute session, 5 minutes is the standard. With a 50-minute session, 10 minutes is a common pairing. Many Pomodoro guides add a longer break of 15 to 30 minutes after four sessions. Use a timer for the break too, because breaks are the part most people let overrun. Our guide to study timer methods explains how to match the break to the session.
How do you stop a break from taking over?
- Leave your phone in another room before the session starts.
- Decide your break activity in advance, so you are not scrolling to decide.
- Set a break timer and stand up the moment it ends.
- Write the first line of your next task before you take the break, so restarting is easy.
How does this fit with a focus timer?
A focus timer builds the break into the plan. When you use the MyStudyLife focus timer, you work in timed intervals with breaks, so the pause arrives before your attention has gone rather than after. For a full walk through, see focus timer for studying. If music helps you concentrate between sessions, read our guide to study music and sounds.
FAQ
Is it okay to check my phone on a break?
It is better not to. Short breaks are easiest to end when they are away from a screen.
Should I snack during study breaks?
A small snack and water are fine. Keep it simple so the break stays short.
How many breaks do I need in an evening?
One after each session is a sensible rule, with a longer one after every few sessions.
Related reading: Pomodoro technique | How to stop procrastinating on homework | Study Tips
