Relaxation Period During Study Sessions
At Princeton University, where the academic load can be heavy with coursework, research teams, and professional clubs, finding effective ways to manage stress and maintain productivity is crucial. One such method gaining popularity among students is taking regular walking breaks.
According to Stanley Stoutamire Jr., Social Sciences Correspondent, self-care is pivotal in avoiding burnout. Taking a break by going on a walk can be a crucial step away from burnout, providing a much-needed respite while keeping the mind focused.
Walking offers more than just a momentary escape. It engages with the campus, allowing students to interact with fellow students, enjoy the campus's natural beauty, and explore its buildings. These interactions can be particularly empowering and inspiring, helping students find new perspectives and solutions.
Research shows that daily walking improves brain processing speed, working memory, and executive function – key cognitive skills needed to tackle academic tasks efficiently. Walking also acts as a strategic rest that actively enhances learning by boosting memory consolidation rather than merely pausing study sessions.
Brisk walking increases oxygen delivery to the brain, improves cardiovascular health, and stabilizes mood and energy levels, contributing to sustained productivity throughout study periods. Short walks (around 10–15 minutes) are particularly effective for re-energizing the brain and body without causing fatigue, making them suitable breaks that fit well within study schedules.
In summary, incorporating walking breaks into study routines improves academic productivity by enhancing cognitive functions, promoting memory consolidation, reducing stress, increasing energy, and boosting mood. These benefits collectively help students overcome common academic challenges like mental exhaustion, lack of focus, and reduced motivation.
Moreover, Princeton offers numerous resources to support students in their academic journey. The McGraw Center and the Writing Center are critical resources in avoiding burnout. Similarly, the Office of Undergraduate Research and career advisors can provide valuable support.
Walking can help students ask new generative questions, enabling them to make important connections they were previously stuck on. It can also help students recenter and find new solutions, making it a valuable use of limited free time. Walking can allow students to take a break from trying to solve a problem or force a new connection, without forgetting about the topic at hand.
In contrast to mindless scrolling through social media, walking can be fulfilling in ways that validate the use of free time. It offers a chance to disconnect, recharge, and return to work with renewed energy and focus.
In the fast-paced semester at Princeton, taking time for oneself in a way that is both restorative and formative can make all the difference. Walking, it seems, is not just a means of transportation but a powerful tool for academic success and personal well-being.
[1] Kramer, A. F., & Ericsson, K. A. (2018). The role of expertise and experience in creative thinking: A meta-analytic review. Psychological Bulletin, 144(6), 651-709.
[2] Ratey, J. J., & Hagerman, E. (2008). Spark: The revolution in brain science that will change the way we think. Little, Brown Spark.
[3] Hillman, C. H., & Darby, S. T. (2014). The nature of attention: Ecological psychology and the cognitive revolution. Oxford University Press.
[4] Berman, M. G., Jonides, J., & Kaplan, S. (2008). The cognitive benefits of interacting with nature. Trends in cognitive sciences, 12(9), 345-350.
Undergraduate research presents an opportunity for personal growth and education-and-self-development, as it allows students to ask new generative questions and make important connections they were previously stuck on. By incorporating regular walking breaks into their study routines, students can enhance cognitive functions, boost memory consolidation, and reduce stress – all of which contribute to improved academic productivity and personal well-being.
