What is break intervals?

These were relatively homogeneous, and none of the included moderators were significant. Hence, the data suggest that micro-breaks may be a panacea for fostering well-being during worktime. A systematic overview of the studies’ characteristics (e.g., participants, design) is displayed in Table 1. A summary of attributes of experimental manipulations (e.g., breaks, tasks before breaks) and outcomes are shown in Table 2. We recorded effect sizes for measures of vigor, fatigue, and performance (objective and subjective). Subjective performance variables were measures of self-reported levels of work productivity.

Improving Creativity and Problem Solving

In today’s fast-paced study environment, using technology wisely can help you manage your time and enhance your productivity. Digital tools, particularly productivity apps, are designed to encourage more efficient break management during study sessions. To maximise your study sessions, finding the right equilibrium between workloads and recovery periods is crucial. This balance ensures you maintain consistent performance without succumbing to burnout. Relaxation techniques come in various forms, from progressive muscle relaxation to visualisation exercises.

Thank you for your positive feedback and the chance to revise the manuscript! Hence the decision to entirely apply Borenstein et al.’s framework for the meta-analysis. But we agree that this may be an important aspect, and as you rightfully suggested, we developed and inserted in the manuscript a detailed discussion of this limitation and its implications. We also discussed and accentuated the cautionary note regarding the diversity and lack of consistency when it comes to approaches for performance and the consequential potential sources of bias.

ASK A RESEARCHER: Whether you’re training for endurance or strength — it pays to take breaks along the way.

• One key aspect of maintaining work-life balance is acknowledging the importance of taking regular breaks throughout the workday.
• In other words, even if we dismiss all the studies finding a positive impact of breaks on task efficiency and consider micro-breaks as not improving performance, taking a break at least does not harm it.
• Breaks help your productivity, energy levels, and ability to focus — not to mention your mental health and well-being.
• Break intervals are intentional pauses taken during work or study sessions, designed to refresh the mind and body.

Short breaks allow the brain to consolidate information and improve focus, while longer periods of rest, such as vacations, help reduce stress and rejuvenate the mind for more effective work afterward. Moreover, our results can also have implications for an educational perspective. Lectures can become more successful when delivering information alternate with learning pauses 123, 124. In this context, restorative breaks, especially in online learning, where students need to look away from their computers may help reestablish their energy and focus. In this way, it is possible to have a deep learning process right in the educational setting and an enhanced chance to sustain performance in the longer term.

The Benefits of Structured Breaks

Micro breaks are things like standing up to stretch, filling a water bottle, or petting your cat. The researchers found that employees who took micro-breaks had higher work engagement, higher quality of work, and a more positive attitude toward work. That only lasts, however, until you realize you’ve been daydreaming https://hellspinofficial.com/ for the past 45 minutes.

Integrating effective rest periods strategically into your study sessions can enhance your ability to learn and retain information. In our fast-paced world, finding ways to enhance productivity and focus is more essential than ever. One effective strategy that’s gained traction is the concept of short break intervals.

We note that this manuscript is a systematic review or meta-analysis; our author guidelines therefore require that you use PRISMA guidance to help improve reporting quality of this type of study. Please upload copies of the completed PRISMA checklist as Supporting Information with a file name “PRISMA checklist”. Lastly, we considered only two aspects of well-being, a pleasant activation (e.g., vigor) and unpleasant deactivation (e.g., fatigue), leaving aside other concepts studied in recovery research such as anxiety or tension 131.