How to relax (so you can study again without going crazy!)
- chiemiruthishida
- Apr 10
- 3 min read
Top tips for effective relaxation!
Non sleep deep rest. A term coined by Dr Andrew Huberman, this is a way of completely relaxing without falling asleep. It is highly effective in reducing stress and re-setting the brain for a fresh approach to studying again. Even just 5 minutes is highly effective, but longer periods of 10 or 20 minutes can help to reset the nervous system to ensure full focus for learning. I also like to adapt the method by additionally using the Feldenkrais method of relaxing the eyes as well as a form of progressive muscle relaxation. This is literally one of the best things I have discovered to control my energy and focus levels.
If you want to learn what this relaxation method looks like in full, read this post here:
Relax with the intention of studying again. Rather than getting tired of studying and saying "I'll just rest until I feel better again" (which most likely leads to no more work being done for the rest of the day!), it is better to allocate a specified time to rest so that you know when you have to start studying again. This ensures that you use your time efficiently, but it also lets you know when to work and when to rest so that you can prepare to work, and you can also work knowing that you have a rest period coming up. This can help you to push through when things get tough, or to re-focus on your task if you find yourself thinking of something else or getting distracted.
Make yourself excited to study again at the end of your relaxation period. This perhaps is a <slight> form of brainwashing yourself into doing something good, but it can help with the transition from rest to study smoothly and with a positive mindset. Rather than dragging yourself back to studying with a "Do I have to?" attitude, use the last 5 minutes or so of your rest period to hype yourself up about the task that is ahead of you. For example, if you have a report that you are working on, find all the reasons that make writing the report enjoyable, and praise yourself for all of the good work you have put in so far. Then, do some physical activity (such as jumping up and down a few times) to get oxygen and endorphins to your brain so that you feel hyped and ready to work again!
Split study periods with other requirements. For example, you could break up periods of study with time to pursue your hobbies, meet up with friends or do household chores. You should try to alternate between tasks that use different parts of the brain and body so that you are still being efficient and are not wasting precious time but you are also giving each part of your brain and body the rest it deserves.
Physical exercise. This is especially effective for when your brain feels foggy or your body feels stiff from sitting and studying for a long time. Even just 5 minutes of heartbeat-raising exercise can have a massive impact on your ability to refocus. Usually, I like to do a couple of lengths of sprinting, some jumping, some dancing or a brisk walk. It can also help you find the right answer if you have been stuck on a problem as you come back to the task with a fresh perspective and more oxygen in your bloodstream!
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