According to a study conducted at the University of Sydney, taking short five-minute "brain breaks" can significantly enhance performance and productivity in subsequent tasks. The experiment

involved 72 students who participated in a self-taught lesson followed by two mentally challenging math tests.

The results showed that those who were given a five-minute break between the tasks scored an average of 57% higher in the second test compared to those who continued without pausing, even after considering other ability factors. Some students took unstructured breaks, while others watched relaxing nature videos. Both groups performed better in the second test compared to their counterparts who did not rest.

Associate Professor in Educational Psychology, Paul Ginns, emphasized that the substantial improvements observed by taking attention-restoring brain breaks are applicable not only in the classroom but also in the workplace. He highlighted that resting is not only beneficial for cognitive function but also essential for recharging emotional batteries. This advice is commonly given to children, and it can serve as an accessible productivity hack for individuals of all ages.

The study also provided support for the Pomodoro Technique, which suggests incorporating a five-minute break after every 25 minutes of focused work. The findings indicate that this time-management approach can enhance productivity and overall performance. Photo by Knowledgeispower3, Wikimedia commons.