Tips to help your teenager take effective study breaks while preparing for exams

During exams, stress levels start rising higher and higher. From charting timetables to setting hourly goals, teens literally go into an overdrive of preparation. Parents too feel the pressure and are often seen trying to do their bit with frequent checks on the children, whipping up healthy meals, giving motivational talks, and whatnot!

In the middle of the heightened hectivity, what is conveniently forgotten is the importance of mini-breaks. It's time we all take a deep breath, literally! Get your child to take a break between hours of studying. Trust us, it helps enormously. In this article, we share some interesting stress-buster ideas for the ongoing exam season. Sit back and relax!

Why breaks are mandatory

A break refreshes the mind and allows your child to look at a problem from a fresh perspective. Whether they like to go for a walk or listen to music to unwind, encourage them to take short breaks to avoid mental fatigue. And this is particularly important during the exam season.

How long is an effective break?

While every child is different, what is common is the need for a break from time to time. Research indicates that the amount of breaks required during study hours depends on the level of focus and study pattern of the child. The span of attention while studying varies from child to child. While some children may have an attention span of a mere 20 minutes, others may be able to stay focused for more than a couple of hours.

It's important to understand your teen's study pattern and attention span, so you can help them decide when they need a break during study hours. Your child might need a 10-minute break after a couple of hours of studying, or a 5-minute break after every hour. Begin by making sure they understand their pattern of study and plan the breaks so they get a healthy balance of breaks and study time.

Stress buster ideas for short breaks

Here, we look at study breaks that are less than 10 minutes long. These activities are just like a quick retreat that can rejuvenate your child for the next session of intense learning. Here we go:

1. A lot can happen over a cuppa

Teenagers love a cup of hot chocolate any day. Brew a hot cup of your teen's favorite beverage, decorate it creatively, and get them to jump at the sight of it. Give it to them and let them relax or daydream! Join them for a light chat if they are up for it.

2. What's your music?

Music is one of the best ways to soothe a soul and relax a mind. Ask your teen to put on their headphones and listen to their favorite music. Some kids prefer calming music while some may prefer pop music, so let your teen enjoy their playlist before getting back to their books energized.

3. Fruit it up

Get your teen to pick their favorite fruits. Get them to help you chop them up and make a fruit salad. Top it with dates, custard, and a drizzle of honey, and let your teen enjoy a bowl full of goodness.

4. Move-n-groove

If your teen likes to dance, let them groove to their favorite song when they need a break. A couple of moves can improve their blood circulation and keep the brain active! This will be a blessing for those children who like to move around frequently!

5. Stretch those muscles

Urge your teen to do a two to five-minute stretch between sessions, either at his study table or while standing up. This will help improve their blood circulation.

6. Step out

Ask your teen to step out of their room, into the garden or the balcony, and relax. Walking around for some time or spending time with their pet, will help them refresh.

7. Just breathe

Teens tend to get overstressed, especially during last-minute revisions. Together, practice a few breathing exercises to help your child relax. Taking slow, deep breaths increases the blood flow to the brain and it will help your child be more focused when they get back to studying.

8. Laugh out loud

Laughing out loud can rejuvenate the brain. Take a break and talk about anything under the sun, other than exams or studies. Share a few jokes to tickle the funny bone. Also, check if your child wants to have a quick light-hearted chat with their friends for a refreshing break.

Stress buster ideas for long(er) breaks

Your teen needs a break after long hours of study. Here are some de-stress activities you can suggest for them to refresh their mind in under 30 minutes.

1. A refreshing game

No couch potatoes, please. We all do not like seeing our children stick to gadgets. Instead encourage your child to play a quick game of basketball, cricket, football, or badminton with you or your friends. A sporting activity will keep your child in good physical shape during the exams, which is just as important as mental strength. Remember, exams are not just about the mind, they are about body, mind, and soul.

2. Following one's heart

If your teen is involved in activities like dance, music, or skating, let them practice this at home for some time. If they are into sports, urge them to run around the block, practice dribbling, or kick a football. Doing such activities can be refreshing for your child. Do not stop any activity and dampen the spirit. Rather, regulate it and keep the spirits high.

3. Let's scream for ice cream

Nothing feels more rewarding than a scoop of your child's favorite ice cream. Offer to take your teen out for a treat after their schedule revision, or after dinner.

4. Calling all bookworms

Get your child to flip through a few pages of a light read, such as a magazine or a newspaper, when they need a break from her syllabus. Reading expands your child's imagination. One big rule here the book should be a fun and light read and should not exercise your child's brain too much or stimulate their emotions.

5. The power of a power nap

Remember what you love doing when sitting in that bus or cab on your way back from work? The power of a power nap can never be underscored. It is the same for children too. If your teen needs a nap during their study break, gladly let them sleep a bit! A power nap for a few minutes between study hours can refresh their brain.

6. A breath of fresh air

Remember the good old terrace walk when you were a child? Nothing could ever beat the idea of breathing in some fresh air on the terrace. When your child feels like taking a break, encourage them to go outside for a walk. The outdoors will do them good after sitting at their desk all day!

7. Bake a cake

Get your teen to whip up their favorite cake or a fresh batch of cookies when they need a break. Taking their mind off studies for a while can definitely help, especially when it ends in a sweet treat!

8. Good old board games

Never store away the good old family board games just because the exam season is underway. Family board games are a great way to refresh your teen's mind. Let them try their luck at some classics like carrom, Ludo, Pictionary, or a round of cards. A few minutes of play can help them de-stress.

So, go on, give your child the break they deserve after hours of study with these activities. Help them face the exams with confidence and keep the exam blues at bay! ParentCircle wishes all children the very best in their exams this year!