Introduction
We are all familiar with the culture of grinding and we know that putting in the hours can tremendously build up our confidence and can reap great academic results. However, we aren't often reminded of how important resting is and often can feel guilty when we take some time off. Personally, I define rest as any activity or states of inactivity that aids our ability to recover. It can look like spending time at the gym, hanging out with your friends or going for a sweet treat. It doesn't always have to look like sleeping, although sleeping is a crucial factor of rest!
Does scrolling count as a break?
People (myself included) may reach for our phones when we want to take a break. Interestingly, scrolling on our phones doesn't make our brain feel like it's resting as it dysregulates our nervous system, hijacks our dopamine reward loops and prevents physical rest. What we reach for when we scroll is habit and not proper rest. But as social media grows more prevalent in our culture we're learning to acknowledge this.
Personal experience
As a uni student, rest is essential after long days of study and helps me stay grounded, while rest grants us a mental break from the tasks that we're doing, having creative/ physical outlets to rest or even explore can cultivate a sense of confidence. In fact, in a study of healthy volunteers, NIH researchers discovered that our brains may replay compressed memories of learning new skills when we rest. This means that rest can benefit us academically.
Taking proper breaks and maintaining our hobbies contributes to a balanced life and decreases symptoms of burnout which is crucial for life-long learning. So, next time you decide to take a break don't feel guilty, it's good for you!
