The Power of Wellbeing Breaks

University can be a brilliant and transformative experience. For many students it’s their first time away from mum and dad, a chance to make new friends, and to tackle their favourite subject at the next level. However, the trials and tribulations faced as a student are tough: balancing classes, assessments, social activities and the rest often leads to burnout.

It’s therefore perhaps not a shock that 55% of students report emotional exhaustion at some point during university life. This brings into focus the importance of wellbeing breaks, in which students take some time to recharge before letting their battery run flat.

The demands of academic life

Studying at a university is mean’t to be hard. They’re the highest level of educational institution, and leading experts in their field usually do the teaching. That alone is enough to leave anyone feeling a bit overwhelmed. There’s also the large number of hours required to study, research, and complete assignments. Basically, to succeed, students need to be at the top of their game.

This requires them to take breaks during which they detach from their studies to relax and rejuvenate, and then means come back refreshed and energised. It’s the foundation of a healthy work-life balance moving forwards, and allows for continued success, academically and professionally.

Academic performance is also tied to physical wellbeing. Demanding schedules often mean physical activity goes by the wayside, but regular exercise, nutrition, and sleep are vital for the brain to function in top gear. Using a wellbeing break to go for a walk, to the gym, or to play a sport helps relieve tension and boost cardiovascular health, which is proven to enhance cognitive function and academic performance.

Grow with yourself and others

Taking a wellbeing break also gives the chance to self-reflect, maybe assessing achievements or considering what aspects of studying have worked well and which may need some more fine-tuning. Taking the chance to reflect facilitates personal growth, and a Harvard study showed people who began reflective practices, such as journaling, saw a huge increase in happiness scores.

As well as personal growth, wellbeing breaks give a chance to grow with others. University life offers a chance to forge lifelong friendships, however, sometimes this gets lost amidst the piles of work, and students unintentionally isolate themselves. Using a wellbeing break to connect with others by joining a club, attending social events, or just spending quality time with a friend not only fosters those valuable friendships, social connections also promote self-esteem and build a support network to help better tackle any challenges ahead.

Get creative

An often overlooked way to spend a wellbeing break is finding a creative outlet. Engaging in something unrelated to studying - painting, playing an instrument, or creative writing to name a few - offers a much-needed mental escape.

Being creative has huge value on its own, but engaging in creative outlets can also help reduce stress, improve mood and help manage anxiety. Add in the fact that honing a creative approach to problem-solving and you can see the knock-on positive impact on academic performance this can lead to.

Look after yourself

The crucial thing about wellbeing breaks is they’re just what they say they are: a chance to look after your wellbeing. This should always be a priority, not just when studying, but with whatever comes next, too. University life is a whirlwind - taking regular breaks allows students to take care of their minds and bodies, as well as foster relationships with those around them.