Recess is NOT just for school
If you’re like me, you’re frantically trying to get presents wrapped and packages sent. Here’s a gift you can give yourself and your kids in this last week before Christmas, and going forward into the new year: a quick break to refresh and regroup.
Why Taking a Break Matters
Learning to take a break improves health and productivity. Too much work and not enough time out can result in mental health problems, memory failure and even heart attack. The secret to managing stress is to build relaxation breaks into every day so that they become part of your lifestyle.
Simply taking a deep breath brings much-needed oxygen into the body and relaxes the muscles. It also slows down the heart rate (which accelerates when we feel anxious) and helps calm the mind.
Breaks for Study Time and Homework
A part of study skills training is learning how to take a break. Study time will be much more productive if students work for an appropriate amount of time for them, then take a short break to relax the mind and move the body.
For students who struggle in school, recess may be their “best subject” of the day. They need the movement and mental break in order to re-focus and do their best in the classroom.
The same is absolutely true with homework. It may be hard to give your kids periodic 5 – 15 minute breaks in homework because you don’t want to add any more time to the hours you’re already spending. But the bottom line is, we all do better when we’re less stressed, and a few brain breaks may actually reduce the amount of time you have to spend.
My best to you as you wrap up this year and wrap up your gifts! Take a break! Enjoy the moment!
Here’s a gift for you:
Quick Answers
Why should kids take breaks during homework?
We all do better when we’re less stressed, and a few brain breaks may actually reduce the amount of time you have to spend. Periodic 5 – 15 minute breaks give the mind and body a chance to relax.
Do breaks make studying more productive?
Yes. Study time will be much more productive if students work for an appropriate amount of time for them, then take a short break to relax the mind and move the body.
Jill Stowell, M.S.
Founder and Executive Director of Stowell Learning Centers and bestselling author of At Wit's End and Take the Stone Out of the Shoe. For more than 40 years, Stowell Learning Centers has helped children and adults correct the root causes of dyslexia, learning, and attention challenges. More about Jill
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