The Best Exercises for Your Study Breaks

Hovering over your keyword and staring into a computer screen for hours at a time can make studying a truly uncomfortable experience. When you cramp your legs underneath a desk or hang your shoulders over a textbook for too long, your muscles become stiff, and you lose normal circulation.

Finding small breaks to stand, stretch, and improve blood flow can reduce the physical discomfort of studying and give you a mental break. To learn more about the best exercises for your study breaks, continue reading our guide.

Jumping Jacks

If you’ve been studying since the crack of dawn or are losing energy halfway through a dreaded all-nighter, jumping jacks will give you the new energy and motivation you need to finish studying strong. Jumping jacks are a full-body workout, which means your arms, legs, and torso all have a chance to participate and stretch during this exercise.

Its standing position also helps to straighten your back and improve posture. If you’re bored of standard jumping jacks and need new ways to switch up your workout routine, you can modify your jumping jacks to different rhythms and speeds to keep this short activity exciting.

Planks

Foggy minds that need to redirect their focus will benefit the most from plank workouts during study breaks. Plank exercises mainly target your abdominal muscles, but these simple workouts can engage your entire body in a challenging activity.

Whether you hold your body in a plank position for 30 seconds or 2 minutes, it will force your foggy mind to focus on keeping your back straight and weight balanced. When you return to your studies, you’ll have more blood flow to your brain and a clearer mind.

Neck Circles

You exercise your brain like a muscle every time you study. Your neck is responsible for supporting the weight of not just your brain but your entire head. With that in mind, try exercising or stretching your neck regularly while you study.

Neck circles are a simple but effective stretch to realign your posture and keep your shoulders from persistently hunching. Neck circles will also lighten the stress on your neck and shoulders and prevent headaches or migraines that result from muscle tightness. 

Ab Flexes

If you prefer to study in a library and don’t have space for full-body workouts, plenty of sitting exercises can engage muscles without excessive movement. One of the best exercises for your study breaks is ab flexes.

Ab flexes involve contracting and relaxing abdominal muscles repeatedly to engage your core without heavy stress. Ab flexes promote blood flow while you’re sitting and even help to regulate posture throughout long hours of reading and writing. Though they may look easy, these stretches can challenge your core and redirect your tired mind.

Burnout is a very real side effect of studying too long while sitting at a cramped desk. Tackle burnout by engaging your body in short exercises that can improve your circulation, increase your oxygen levels, and redirect your focus. These scheduled movement breaks will prevent disastrous burnout and give your brain the break it deserves.

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