How Often Should You Take Breaks When Studying?

If you’ve ever lost focus halfway through a study session or caught yourself reading the same line again and again, you’re not alone. Concentration has limits, and study breaks can help you recharge and learn more effectively.

So, how often should you take breaks when studying? This guide explains how long they should be and what kind of break works best. You’ll discover practical, science-backed ways to structure your revision so you can study smarter, not just longer.

Key Takeaways

• Short, regular breaks improve focus, energy, and memory retention.

• Common study-break cycles include Pomodoro (25/5), 50/10, and 90/20 ultradian rhythms.

• Choose the rhythm that fits your task, mood, and energy levels.

• The best breaks are active or restorative, not screen-based.

Why Taking Breaks Improves Your Study Performance

Your brain isn’t designed to focus for hours without rest. Once concentration fades, it becomes harder to take in new information or remember what you’ve just learned.

Your teachers know this and break up lessons into short tasks, with mini-breaks between activities. There’s a good reason for doing so. Taking short, regular breaks helps your brain recover and process what you’ve just learned. 

• A study from the U.S. National Institutes of Health (opens in a new tab) found that during short rest periods, the brain “replays” what it has just learned, helping to strengthen memory and make new information stick.

• Another major study in PLOS ONE (opens in a new tab) looked at hundreds of experiments and found that even very short “micro-breaks”, just a few minutes long, can boost focus, performance, and motivation. The researchers also found that people who took short breaks felt less tired and more positive about their work overall.

• A separate study by the University of Illinois (opens in a new tab) discovered that short distractions can reset your attention. When you work for too long without a break, your brain becomes less alert and starts to switch off. Taking a brief pause gives your mind time to refocus, so you return sharper and more productive.

In short, taking regular, well-timed breaks helps you learn more effectively. They give your brain the reset it needs to concentrate, remember, and stay calm during long study sessions.

How Often Should You Take Study Breaks?

There’s no single rule for how often to take breaks, but the right rhythm can make a big difference. The key is to study in focused blocks and rest before your concentration fades completely.

Here are three proven study patterns you can try:

The Pomodoro Technique (25/5)

Study for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break. After four cycles, take a longer 20–30 minute break. Learn more in our rundown of how the Pomodoro technique works.

Best for: Quick, focused bursts of revision such as flashcards, short-answer questions, or essay planning.

Why it works: It keeps your brain alert by breaking work into short chunks that end before your focus starts to dip.

Tip: Use a timer or a Pomodoro app so you stay on track and don’t skip your breaks.

50/10 Study Cycles

Study for 50 minutes, then rest for 10 minutes.

Best for: Subjects that need deeper thinking, such as Science or Maths problem-solving.

Why it works: You get enough time to focus properly, but not so long that you lose energy.

Tip: Use your break to stretch, refill your water, or get some fresh air.

90/20 Ultradian Rhythm Cycles

Your brain naturally works in waves of high and low energy, called ultradian rhythms. In this cycle, you study for about 90 minutes, then rest for 20 minutes.

Best for: Longer tasks that need flow and concentration, such as essay writing or extended reading.

Why it works: It follows your body’s natural focus rhythm, helping you work deeply, then recharge fully before starting again.

Tip: Step away from your desk completely during the 20-minute break. Move around, stretch, or rest your eyes.

If you’re not sure where to start, try the 50/10 cycle first. It suits most students and helps build up stamina without overloading your brain. Most schools have lesson durations of roughly this length, so you’ll be used to it.

Once you get used to regular study sessions, experiment with the other methods to find what fits your energy levels and subjects best.

How Long Should Study Breaks Be?

The length of your break depends on how long you’ve been studying and how tired your brain feels. The goal is to rest just long enough to reset your focus without losing momentum.

• Short breaks (5–10 minutes): Best after 25–50 minutes of focused work. They keep your energy steady and stop your brain from switching off.

• Longer breaks (15–30 minutes): Useful after several study cycles or 1–2 hours of deep work. They help you recharge before starting again.

• Micro-breaks (1–2 minutes): A quick stretch, sip of water, or eye rest can refresh your concentration when working on something intense.

Research (opens in a new tab) has shown that even these tiny “micro-breaks” can make a real difference. Taking just a minute or two to move or rest your eyes improves performance and helps prevent fatigue.

The quality of your break matters more than the length. Two minutes spent walking, stretching, or breathing deeply can do far more for your concentration than ten minutes scrolling through your phone.

What Should You Do During Study Breaks?

The best breaks give your brain and body time to recharge, not zone out. They work best when they involve light movement, rest, or something that helps you relax.

Here are some simple, science-backed ideas:

• Take a short walk or stretch your muscles to get your blood flowing again.

• Refill your water or grab a healthy snack.

• Listen to music, a short podcast, or a guided breathing exercise.

• Tidy your desk or open a window for fresh air.

• Chat with someone or step outside for a few minutes of daylight.

These small resets improve focus and energy for your next study block.

Avoid:

• Checking social media. Studies (opens in a new tab) have found that using phones or social media during breaks can leave you feeling more distracted, not refreshed.

• Watching videos or gaming. They make it harder to switch back into study mode.

• Skipping breaks altogether. It feels like you’re saving time, but fatigue builds up and slows you down later.

A good study break should help you come back sharper, not sleepier. Keep it short, move your body if you can, and choose something that genuinely relaxes you.

How to Tell When You Need a Break

You don’t need to wait until you’re exhausted to pause. Small signs of fatigue mean your focus is already fading. Taking a quick break at that point helps you reset before productivity drops.

Watch for these signs:

• You keep re-reading the same line without taking it in.

• You start making simple mistakes or forgetting key points.

• Your eyes feel tired, or your shoulders start to ache.

• You feel restless, bored, or distracted by everything around you.

• Your motivation suddenly dips, even if you’re only halfway through a task.

Taking a short, mindful break at this stage helps you reset. A quick stretch or a few deep breaths will restore you and prevent burnout from setting in.

How to Build Breaks Into Your Study Routine

The best revision routines include breaks by design, not by accident. If you’re ploughing through a particularly challenging topic, they provide a natural target to aim for!

Here’s how to make breaks part of your day.

• Plan your sessions. Add study and break times to your revision timetable so you don’t skip them when you’re busy.

• Use a timer or app. Tools like Forest (opens in a new tab) or Pomofocus (opens in a new tab) help you stick to Pomodoro or 50/10 cycles.

• Match breaks to energy levels. Take active breaks (stretching or a short walk) when you feel tired, and quiet ones (breathing or music) when you feel overstimulated.

• Stay flexible. During exam season, switch to shorter cycles when concentration dips, and longer ones when you’re in a good flow.

• End on a high. Finish each session with a proper rest. Step away from your desk and give your brain time to reset before the next round.

Consistency matters. Once breaks become part of your rhythm, you’ll study more efficiently and feel less drained at the end of the day. Find more advice on developing positive study habits in our Learning Hub.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it better to take short or long breaks when studying?

Short breaks of 5–10 minutes are best for keeping focus across the day. Longer breaks of 20–30 minutes help when you’ve been studying for hours or switching between subjects.

What’s the ideal study-to-break ratio?

For most students, 50 minutes of study followed by a 10-minute break strikes a good balance. 

However, you can adjust based on your energy and the difficulty of the subject.

Should I study longer without breaks for exams?

It might seem like a good idea, but skipping breaks makes it harder to remember what you’ve revised. Regular short breaks help your brain consolidate information more effectively.

What if I lose focus after every 10 minutes?

Try shorter bursts, such as 15 minutes of study followed by a 3-minute break. Over time, your focus span will increase naturally as your brain adjusts to a structured routine.

Can I listen to music or nap during study breaks?

Yes. Gentle instrumental music or a short 15–20 minute nap can recharge your energy. 

Avoid long naps or stimulating activities that make it harder to return to work.

Ready to Revise Smarter?

Taking breaks while studying isn’t lazy; it’s actually a brilliant hack to help your brain stay sharp. Those regular pauses give your mind time to recharge, process what you’ve learned, and come back stronger for the next session.

Experiment with different rhythms such as Pomodoro, 50/10, or 90/20 cycles until you find what keeps your focus steady. Remember, the best revision plan balances effort with rest.

Use Save My Exams’ comprehensive range of revision notes, exam questions, flashcards and past papers to make every study session count.

References:

• U.S. National Institutes of Health (2021). (opens in a new tab) Study shows how taking short breaks may help our brains learn new skills. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (opens in a new tab)

• Albulescu, P., Macsinga, I., Rusu, A., Sulea, C., Bodnaru, A., & Tulbure, B. T. (opens in a new tab)(2022) (opens in a new tab) “Give me a break!” A systematic review and meta-analysis on the efficacy of micro-breaks for increasing well-being and performance. (opens in a new tab) PLOS ONE, (opens in a new tab)17(8): e0272460  (opens in a new tab)

• University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2011). (opens in a new tab) Brief diversions vastly improve focus, researchers find. ScienceDaily (opens in a new tab)

• Balci, Ş., & Gölcü, A. (opens in a new tab)(2022) (opens in a new tab) — Taking a break by looking at social media does not help your mind reset. (opens in a new tab)Addictive Behaviors Reports (opens in a new tab), 16, 100456 (opens in a new tab)

• Forest (opens in a new tab)

• Pomofocus (opens in a new tab)