As a student, you may spend a lot of time in front of a screen. While technology has many benefits, it also has some drawbacks. That’s why it’s important to take regular screen breaks, which are short periods of time when you look away from your device and do something else.
In this EDU Blog, we will discuss how screen breaks can benefit students and how to make them a habit.
What are Screen Breaks?
Students should take screen breaks regularly when they use computers or other devices for learning. Screen breaks are short periods of time when students do something else, such as physical activity, games, puzzles, or relaxation.
Screen breaks help students learn better by improving their concentration, productivity, memory, stress relief, and vision. Too much screen time can hurt students’ health and learning, leading to issues like eye strain, headaches, obesity, and lower creativity.
Here's some free info on implementing effective screen breaks
What are the Benefits of Taking Screen Breaks?
Taking screen breaks can help students:
1. Reduce Eye Strain and Prevent Headaches
Staring at a screen for too long can cause your eyes to become dry, irritated, and tired. It can also lead to blurred vision, difficulty focusing, and increased sensitivity to light. To avoid these problems, you should follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look away from the screen and focus on something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This will help relax your eye muscles and reduce eye fatigue.
2. Improve your Concentration and Memory
When you’re constantly exposed to information and stimuli from the screen, your brain can get overloaded and distracted. This can affect your ability to focus, learn, and remember things. Taking screen breaks can help you clear your mind, refresh your attention span, and boost your cognitive performance.
3. Enhance your Mood and Mental Health
Spending too much time on the screen can make you feel isolated, anxious, depressed, or bored. It can also expose you to negative or stressful content that can affect your emotions and self-esteem. Taking screen breaks can help you reconnect with yourself, your surroundings, and your loved ones.
You can use the time to do something that makes you happy, such as reading a book, listening to music, meditating, or talking to a friend.
4. Promote your Physical Health and Fitness
Sitting in front of a screen for hours can have negative consequences for your posture, muscles, joints, and blood circulation. It can also increase your risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic conditions. Taking screen breaks can help you move your body, stretch your muscles, and improve your blood flow.
You can use the time to do some physical activity, such as walking, jogging, cycling, or doing yoga.
How to Take Effective Screen Breaks?
To make the most of your screen breaks, you should:
Set a timer or use an app to remind you to take breaks regularly. You can also use natural cues, such as finishing a task or chapter, to signal when it’s time to take a break.
Choose activities that are different from what you were doing on the screen. For example, if you were reading or writing on the screen, you can do something that involves movement or creativity during your break.
Avoid switching from one screen to another during your break. For example, if you were using a laptop or tablet for studying, don’t use your phone or TV for entertainment during your break. This will defeat the purpose of giving your eyes and brain a rest.
Make sure your break is long enough to have an effect. Ideally, you should take at least 5 minutes of break for every hour of screen time. You can also take longer breaks every few hours to recharge yourself completely.
Taking screen breaks is not only good for your health and well-being but also for your academic performance and productivity. By giving yourself some time away from the screen, you can improve your focus, creativity, and motivation. So don’t hesitate to take screen breaks whenever you need them. Your eyes, brain, and body will thank you for it.
If you enjoyed reading it, please share it with your peers. You can make a difference by helping more students take care of their health and well-being.
In a Nutshell
Technology has transformed education in many ways, but it also comes with some health risks for students. Spending too much time on screens can cause eye problems, attention difficulties, and mental health issues.
Students can avoid these problems by taking regular breaks from screens. Screen breaks help students protect their eyes, focus better, and remember more. They also improve mental health by giving students a chance to relax and do something fun.
So, don’t forget to take breaks from screens. They will make you feel better and perform better in school and life.
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