Hello! Just a quick note that these are only supposed to be ideas for study breaks :) Sometimes when I need to take a break, I'm not sure what to do and enjoy having a long list of ready-made ideas to pick between which is why I wanted to share this. Sometimes you'll want to refresh yourself (so you might have a shower), other times you might need to re-focus (meditation), other times you might be getting slightly bored with the material (learning something new). The best kind of break really changes depending on your mood. For some extra context on this video, and if you're interested, do watch my video on why I don't take conventional study breaks: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-LVxO2Sn3q4E.html&t xx
I think people understood that this video was ideas for study breaks. Again, learning a language is not taking a break. I appreciate that everyone faces their own challenges and pressure, but this video does create a sense of needing to have productive breaks, which contradicts scientific evidence about the need for proper breaks, and feeds into toxic productivity. I appreciate your comment being added, but it doesn't address the concerns raised. If you have difficulty taking proper breaks, perhaps exploring this and finding ways to support your study style would be a better approach, rather than producing content that can add more pressure to your largely young audience. Fellow students, if you get bored with the material you are studying, there are things you can do instead of using a rest break to study etc. You could try the carousel method, explore other material (if possible and appropriate) or use pomodoro to 'ring fence' time spent on boring material.
'Study less, study smart' = A nice thing to google for many of your viewers instead of setting up 14 hour schedules of self discipline that eventually become harmful for your mental health.
I know the feeling of not being able to relax or taking traditional breaks. I hate taking breaks, because I usually lose flow and end up doing something completely else. I had to learn how to take breaks and properly recharge and I very strongly advice you to try and do the same. You might not feel the need and maybe you feel good doing all of these things right now, but in the long term it will make you very sick and with every video I watch, I can see how this kind of routine is catching up with you. If you have a therapist, I would talk to them about it, if not, maybe it's time to get one
Lots of fun ideas here, but also anyone watching this and feeling inadequate: please, please understand that it’s 100 % OK to spend your breaks just zoning out. Breaks are meant to help you recharge, not add pressure where you’re already stressed out! Don’t make your breaks another thing to perform and tick off. Take a break when you need it, and don’t feel pressured to ”make the most of it”, and also don’t feel guilty if you end up spending longer than you meant to.
@@spinstercatlady there are people who actually struggle with seemingly simple things like getting out of bed, making tea or a proper meal or doing stretches. so maybe don't joke about that
Friendly reminder to any young people here your mental health is way more important and if you want to take a half an hour break and just scroll through your phone, waste time chilling, enjoy yourself - do that. Don’t feel like you have to be productive all the time. I say this as someone who graduated with a 99 atar and holds distinctions at university in science. I take 3hr breaks if I want, use my breaks to scroll through insta/watch tik tok and take naps whenever. X
Movement : exercise Yoga Walking Stretching Health : go outside -5 deep breath Make some tea Drink a lot of water Get a snack Go to a window and try to look long Learning: Learn language Podcast in other languages Learn a musical instrument Read poem or short story Reasech about something you want to Try answering some riddle Reciting poetry Learn capital Pie Morse code Organisation : clothes Clean your desk Declutter your photos and note Admin : Plannig Banking finances Meal prep Other : listening to music Wrtie a letter Listen a Ted Ed Creative writing Have a chat with someone Do some journaling
I think you misunderstood the point that was made in Angela Duckworth's book Grit. It's not merely about reciting a poem, it was about understanding and reflecting on the poems and connecting with the given values. "...words, even those committed to memory, don’t sustain a culture when they diverge from actions"
There are some break ideas featured in this video that I already use in my daily life (cooking, quick and easy chores, looking outside the window, moving around a bit, etc.), but the way you seem to be almost obsessed with 'keeping your brain active during break' in many parts of the video got me quite worried. The only thing a study break should achieve in principle is to give your brain some well-deserved rest. Pressuring yourself to squeeze more 'benefits' into it to get the most out the short break will only water down the resting aspect, nullifying the whole point of taking a break. Letting your brain rest and zoning out for 10~30 minutes is not a waste of time. Your brain needs it. And if you have worked/studied really hard outside the break time, it's actually not that uncommon that you find even listening to an audiobook or picking up a fun novel during break too daunting, as those things also require some level of brain power that you might not have. Also, just because you are doing something that is not directly related to your study during break does not necessarily mean that it serves its job as a break. Leaning new languages or researching the topic of your interest does require a level of brain power and concentration, the exact things that you're supposed to give rest during the break. Those things might be something you'd be doing voluntarily during spare time in the morning or evening, but they don't really align with the purpose of break.
Dear Ruby, this video is really pleasant to see and I really appreciated it. But, I must admit that I feel a bit confused about one thing: breaks are not supposed to be "productive". On the contrary, they are supposed to allow yourself to forget temporarily what you are currently doing in terms of productivity. Thus, in promoting the concept of "productive breaks" (without absolutely any bad intention on your part, I am sure), I think that you are misinterpreting the concept of "taking a break" in itself. If you choose to label some activities as "productive", it means that your break is just another task to accomplish. So, here is the result: unconsciously, you maintain an undeniable pressure on yourself because all of those activities, which are all great and fun, are no longer seen as what they really are - that is to say entertaining activities that you want to do for fun and to free yourself from this concept of productivity - but as activities that you are doing because they are useful. Why insisting about this word? Well, precisely because it seems that, today, a lot of people (especially influencers), tend to forget where does the word "productivity" come from. Actually, it comes from economy. The most basic definition of this word would be something like "output of a worker per hour/day/month/year." (this definition comes from a French dictionary of philosophy called "Vocabulaire de la philosophie et des sciences humaines", by Louis-Marie Morfaux & Jean Lefranc, Armand Colin (ed.), 2011). When you want to increase your productivity, you have to organize and rationalize the work. So, when we start to talk about "productive break", it implies, in a way, that we see breaks as a part of the work that we are doing, and not anymore something that we do to separate work from private/civil life. We know, now, that this state of mind can lead to a burn-out. For those who had the courage to read this weighty, bad written comment, here is a bit of French poetry, just to end on a pure, lyrical and beautiful note: "Fuis du plus loin la Pointe assassine, L'Esprit cruel et le Rire impur, Qui font pleurer les yeux de l'Azur, Et tout cet ail de basse cuisine !" (Paul Verlaine, "Art Poétique", from "Jadis et naguère", 1884).
agree. it's also quite ironic that she mentioned that example with the woodcutter and the axe in the beginning and then goes on with things that will make one's "axe" even more blunt
I think Ruby meant productive more in the sense that these activities will be productive in producing the desired effect of relaxing and recharging (to the end of being able to study more effectively). I've had many an unproductive study break which haven't left me feeling recharged at all and have actually hindered my study experience. I completely see what you're saying though. I think it is important to do things for no other reason that they are pleasant to you in itself, not to achieve a desired end and not everything has to be performed for an extrinsic goal. Ruby did differentiate such as this as "leisure time" (8:50), so she acknowledges this type of relaxing is included in her routine, just not always in a study break. As Ruby demonstrated with the axe metaphor, these types of breaks are likely to be a healthy and efficacious type of escapism (for studying in particular, as the title indicates). Much of what Ruby said aligns with current scientific/psychological literature as being effective in reducing the negative consequences of studying, such as 'brain fog', eye strain, etc. Ruby has many videos focusing on productivity, however, she also has a plethora of videos such as night time routines, "Reading 7 of My Favourite Children's Books", "Trying Victorian Christmas Traditions", and many more, all of which seem very light hearted and are not focused of being "productive" but just for enjoyment. I see "productive" to mean in this video as a way to effectively spend your time doing what you need to do as it will result in more time to do the things you GET to do, not HAVE to do. I love that we can have intelligent discussions about these things over the internet with people we have never met. Thank you Ruby for this platform to do so! Nata Chat, I enjoyed reading your comment! You are obviously a bright, thoughtful person so it makes sense why you're a watcher of Ruby
@@shannon7566 I agree with you here. There are times when I have taken breaks by scrolling through my phone, saw something that put me in a really bad mood for the rest of the day. These ideas are quite fun!
@@shannon7566 I don't think productive is then the right word for it. And sure, sometimes it's nice to do a little reading or crossword, but some of these activities are a bit too extreme as a short study break in my opinion, such as learning a language or doing more research. This video felt kind of forced because of the sponsorship and I think it is not very well thought through
Some useful ideas here. Just an FYI Ruby, amygdala is pronounced 'amigdalla' not 'amigdarla'. Also a reminder to fellow students that your breaks do not need to accomplish anything, or have a purpose other than giving your brain, and eyes, a rest, and most likely your back if sitting! I don't think learning something related to studies, a language or reading are good activities for study breaks. You need to rest your mind and your eyes. I also don't think watching something on YT etc is a good study break, as it's not always easy to just watch one video (I know a lot of people struggle with distractions and procrastination). It's a good idea to get to know what type of breaks work for you, and when. For example I find in a short break between sessions getting up and walking around, doing laundry, dishes etc for 10 minutes works well. When I feel 'a block' or really stuck, a slightly longer break for a walk or to go to the supermarket is really helpful. I say all this as a mature student who returned to UG study last year, and gets consistently high A grades. This is not a flex, but a reassurance you don't have to be constantly productive or write lists for everything to do well. Ruby please be aware that providing this much 'inspiration' for things to do during a time that should be about *rest* can feed into toxic productivity. Also most students watching your videos will also have part-time jobs, which are unfortunately often low-paid and demanding, so will be much more tired mentally and physically than students who do not have to work to support their studies. Please also don't film content on study snacks. I'm surprised you suggested this; it's been fed back to you many times to not include food content, and this type of information is available elsewhere. look after yourself Ruby, I hope you are enjoying your last semester x
in one of my upper level psychology courses we talked the other day about how spaced learning is much more effective - breaks are important and if your mind keeps wandering more and more, it’s a sign to stop. taking breaks is more efficient!!
Some great ideas there for study breaks Ruby, with exceptions. Learning a language, whilst being fun and very fulfilling, is not actually resting your brain. Reading, researching or learning in general is not a break for your brain or your eyes. 😉 As someone else said, it's not necessary to be productive every waking minute, and this ultimately probably makes you less "productive" in the long run, because your eyes and brain are exhausted. This will also likely affect your sleep quality and that doesn't help long term general health, never mind productivity. 20 minute power naps during the are good for refreshing those little grey cells. Or just doing nothing. There's an idea, Ruby. Doing nothing for a while. Chilling out. Some people do, even students. Stay safe in the strong winds and remember to be kind to yourself as well as others. X❤X
I don't think "researching" or "learning something" are smart ideas for short study breaks. Your brain needs some rest and the best thing you can do, especially when you are stuck with a problem or don't understand something, is to do mindless things like walking, taking a shower or even playing an instrument but only a piece which you already know by heart and nothing you need to focus on. Also reading or listening to audiobooks and podcasts can become counter-productive during breaks, because your brain doesn't get the ability to really rest and you might end up re-thinking about what you just read or heard when you go back to studying. Most of the things Ruby mentions here are great for longer breaks or days off, but not something you should do in between study sessions. Otherwise, you will just burn out and wonder why, because you did take "breaks"
probably the healthiest things you can do for your brain and body is some kind of movement outside, preferably in a nature-y area without any music or other distractions; meditation; and taking naps. just a reminder that your eyes need rest too, they will be thankful if you don't continue staring at screens or books for a bit
I've been reading some comments here and as someone who is older than most viewers, I am getting quite concerned about this productivity mindset that is pushed by content like this. it's totally okay if you love studying, learning new things, feeling productive etc. but a video about study breaks should cover real and healthy breaks (like you did with movement, going outside etc.) and not promote the need for even more productivity. it will make your young viewers feel lazy and not productive enough, while they should indeed take a proper break. I know you don't mean any harm Ruby, but sometimes you are really pushing it a bit too far. A better title for this video "What to do when you are bored" or "What you can do when not studying, but still want to do something productive".
I agree with you, but I think some of the ideas she mentioned are things that she enjoys doing for breaks and work for her. You just have to choose what works for you. It might be better if she would clearly mention that in the video tho, especially for younger viewers.
One important thing to mention is that if you suffer from r e a l brain fatigue, the wrong kind of exercise can actuarlly make it worse, same goes with anxiety. I would always recomend consulting a physiotherapist if this is the case. Same goes for things like post covid. There is so much focus on exercising these days, so I tought I'd mention it.
Practicing my violin or piano is one of my fave study breaks- I always feel great after, I also love Yoga and Reading, but also research tangents (I call it wonderland time) I try and do once a day. Brain puzzles are also great recently I’ve been trying to learn how to do cryptic crosswords. Also another break Idea I love is putting on my “energiser bunny” playlist- these are songs I love and I know energise me, like are great to dance to and sing (a lot of them ate from musicals and Taylor swift lol) and just set a timer and put it on shuffle and essentially have a bedroom concert. I am also an extrovert so talking and socialising during breaks helps me feel energised.
I am studying neuroscience at my university and my anatomy professor told us something really interesting, long term high levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) can cause the amygdala to increase in size, whereas mediation can decrease its size when practiced over a long period
This video comes at the right time for me. I'm not a student anymore but it'll be very helpful as I work from home. I've been trying to have more mindful breaks recently instead of screen breaks which don't make me feel refreshed.
I tend to use my phone on study breaks, but want to learn to use it less. This video was such an inspiration of ideas to replace my phone with. Thank you for the new video, Ruby! I was so excited to see it!
Did you read the 2015 study on multi-modal characterization of rapid anterior hippocampal volume increase? It says "However, there is little evidence on the effects of exercise on the brain in early to middle adulthood, despite clear relevance of this question to lifelong cognitive health". The test they did was on older adults. So you won't actually have the benefits of an increased or healthier anterior hippocampus until much later in your life and that only with regular exercise. not saying that exercise is not a good thing to do during your study break, for that, maybe you should have referenced other research that is more relevant
It also works for me to do chores, cook, walk, organize myself and stretch. Due to the pandemic I have not been able to do much, but I have realized that for me in particular it helps a lot to change places or environments to concentrate better.
Definitely like the idea of a video about healthy snacks. I'm not studying but I'm rubbish at planning healthy snacks to have in work and usually spend a long time just powering through being hungry until I get home.
It took me 2 days to Finish watching this video, because I've been drowning in work, but when it ended, I put it going again, just because I wanted to remember every bit!
Thank you for the great video :) I like to have some tea or take a walk as a break, and I do learn Japanese a bit so that is nice as well. I also like reading some as a break between tasks.
Hi Ruby. I'm so glad I found your channel and other people who post productive videos like carmen and emmaxolouise, and revisign, because I'm in Year 11 and have mocks and gcses very soon, and when I found your channel and other motivating channels in the summer holidays before I started year 11, its kept me focused and on track and I actually don't mind studying or revising when I'm very motivated because I know I'm really trying, whatever the results 💖
Would love a video not just on study snacks but also some of your favourite meals? some simple easy ones and maybe some of your favourite, more complex ones?
1. Movement: yoga - 10min flow while focus on your breathe, meditation 🧘♀️ - 5mins, stretching - 10mins, go for a walk as a form of meditation, any other sports, aerobic exercises, running etc. 2. Other: go outside take 5 deep breaths, be in nature, make some tea, drink loads of water, fill your water bottle, get a snack, a chocolate, go to a window and look outside, have a shower. 3. Learning: learning a language, practice musical instrument, reading short stories but not fiction, researching something that came up whilst studying, follow up on such interests, answering riddles, crosswords or sudoku, build your vocabulary. 4. Chores/organisation: any chore to get done, tidy your room, clean your desk, declutter wardrobe or desk. 5. Admin/planning: plan your study sessions for afternoon or night, make a todo list for the day and week, update planner or calendar, bullet journal updation, planning will eventually pay out. Finances, meal prep etc.. 6. Other: listening to music 🎶, classical music especially, write a letter, watch inspirational, ted talks, write short stories or poems, paint 🎨 or draw, chat with someone you live with, writing in journal, writing any journal prompts. 🧡
Practising my instrument is my favourite study break ever and I really do recommend if you do play one. Learn a few easy pieces that you enjoy playing and then you can just easily sit down and play them to relax instead of perhaps practising the current harder pieces that you are working on!
A study break idea that I've found that I really enjoy is the desmos marble run challenges! Essentially you write an equation (or several) for the balls to run along through stars placed at various intervals. It's good fun (especially if you're a maths nerd like me) and takes your mind off of work whilst also keeping your brain engaged. The only issue I've found is that I can easily spend 2+ hours doing it and not even notice 😅
Ruby, I was longing to see ur video this time, have literally become an addict. Don't know what spell there is in ur videos but yes there is something that penetrates deep within and motivates me to be who I am. Sending loads of love and bliss, keep smiling :).And yeah plz do upload the study snack ideas :)
My favourite study breaks all involve being surrounded by nature, but I live in one of the busiest cities in the world and always find the cosmopolitan parks inadequate. These are all great ideas for other things I can do!
Hi Ruby, I've been admiring your hair. It's very beautiful. :) just thought that needed to be said lol. While I also enjoy that you are an ambitious young woman focused on learning and studying, I think sometimes it would be good to take it down a notch and not be so hell-bent on productivity all the time. Trust me, when you are a little bit older like me, and have a full time job, things will sometimes get so stressful that you will long to go back to your university days. The years at uni should be about ambition but also enjoyment and just doing nothing sometimes. :) Take care
It would be perfect if you did more study livestreams, so that we could join you in your study break routines if we are new to yoga, stretching and so on :) that all sound so inspiring
Hey Ruby, you are such an inspiration and just have a calming effect on my nerves. I feel so motivated just watching your videos. I find inspiration to read so much and your reviews find me the best books without reducing loads of research to buy or pick up books. Can you do me a favour and do a university desk tour? Your desk looks so so aesthetic in this video!
I love the editing and how you cite scientific researches, it's amazing how much effort you put into this! I found this ideas more rewarding type of breaks, and I say this as someone who sometimes spends too much time just doomscrolling (which isn't healthy at all and can be really damaging for the brain as social media sites can be design to be addictive btw)
Been watching your vids since 2 years now and the way you film your vids have become soooo much creative and aesthetic 🤩😌😌😌 And I really wanna know how or what inspires this creativity? (and oh, the content is amazing as always!)
This got me inspired to try and go outside more! Obviously, it’s been hard at the moment in the UK with the wild weather we’ve been getting and I do feel like I’ve been cooped up a bit because of it but sometimes I tend to stay indoors a bit more without realising that I haven’t been outside for ages. I think with all the technology we have to entertain ourselves indoors it can be easy to forget that it’s healthy for us to go out. I’m going to make it a priority to outdoors this next week, depending on the weather of course 😅
It really does. I'm in hospital now for health issues (hopefully will soon be resolved) and I'm still quite young. You never know what may happen, enjoying life is fundamental.
Ruby: our boiler has broken down so it’s currently really cold. Me: I feel your pain (we have boiler shenanigans last year). But thank you for this upload. Some good ideas for the study breaks. As others as mentioned though, it’s okay to not do productive things as well. Just having a walk or chilling in the garden or the sofa, watching silly Tiktoks or whatever are fine too.
I'm a 44 year-old quizzer currently spending quite a lot of time studying, note-taking etc for this year's British Quizzing Championship in September. I study between 3 and 5 hours per day, and if I feel my attention waning, I'll have a 5-10 minute stint on my exercise bike just to wake myself up. I'll also make some tea and have a brief chat with my mother, walk around the back garden a few times, watch the birds eating from the bird feeders in the garden or read a 'crazy facts' book. These have to be more frequent, as I have attention deficit problems relating to my having Autism and Dyspraxia. Some days I'm hyperfocused and some days the focus doesn't work so well (social and sensory 'spoonie') and I'll need more breaks. Switching focus between tasks is more difficult for me, especially if I'm hyperfocused on one task. I lose a lot of executive functioning and self-monitoring when I'm hyperfocused and if I am, the rest of the day's schedule falls to bits. It's tricky, but I am always finding new 'hacks' to make studying easier for myself.
OMG THIS IS THE EARLIEST IVE BEEN also I just wanted to say that ur vids are amazing and make me feel so productive I’m 14 and ur channel and vids are an amazing boost for me
I’ve been following for about a year now and this video shows a big improvement in your editing! I hope you’re proud of yourself. Also I just wanted to say I find your videos relaxing and inspiring so thank you for making them! 🤗
Some of these "breaks" are not really good breaks. Sometimes just laying down for a nap or scrolling through your phone on social are good breaks and is okay to do.
Your so amazing, I love studding but I don’t really take brakes so this really helped me! Keep on being you because we all love Ruby! She is so kind!!,
I love your videos, my favorites ones are the read-a-thons, it will be amazing if you can do another one. You motivate me every day, thanks for all the work and motivation that you share with us 💙
thank you so much for this video! I'm in the middle of midterms, and after finishing half of my exams, all my motivation to study has gone. however, your videos always make me want to go back on track and continue trying my hardest!
Really loved this! So, glad to see that you're into language learning too!🤩🙌 Espero que sigas estudiando español, pero sobre todo que disfrutes el proceso. Saludos desde españa!
Idk why everyone in the comments hated the idea of having "productive breaks". I mean you don't have to, but the feeling of achivement does motivate you to do more.
This was perfect timing, I went on RU-vid in my study break and came across this Ruby video, thank you, very interesting ideas....I like the movement breaks too!
I'm at the part where you said that you're trying to learn Spanish again, and I just wanted to say, in case you ever read this, that what has been the most effective for me is online tutoring with a native speaker. You can find tons of very good tutors on websites such as Preply (my tutor is on this website) for very little. To anyone looking to learn Spanish, I can give you my tutor's name - she truly does wonders.
You might enjoy the Gretchen Rubin Podcast. It's called Happier. It's about habits. She also has a few books. Another two books I would recommend is Atomic Habits by James Clear and The power of Habit by Charles Duhigg.
This video is absolutely perfect timing for me! I'm working on a 2500 word essay on the British Raj due on Thursday, I have about 1000 words to go and just really struggling with imposters syndrome at the moment. I'll definitely apply some of these things this afternoon, thank you. ♥
At first after watching this video I was thinking gosh I love you Ruby, but you don't need to be productive *all* the time. But after watching the video you commented about why you don't take conventional study breaks I understand it much better. That was actually very eye opening. ❤
Hi, Ruby. There are five videos with ads just in your last ten. I don't know if it's just me but this many ads can be such a big turn off. Hope you'll reconsider your posting schedule if you have more videos with ads coming up.
that's only half. many youtubers have ads in all of their videos. she's got to make money somehow. As long as she's not being deceptive or promoting harmful products, I don't see a problem
I have read that you sometimes should look away from your computer and blink for 20 seconds or something because when you look at your computer you for some reason blink less.
