Long study sessions are tiring both physically and mentally. Many people can easily identify physical exhaustion. But it is much harder to tell when you are mentally exhausted. And it is quite a difficult state that can result in burnout eventually. To prevent that one must unwind and recharge their brain after.
Photo, Priscilla Du Preez.
Students know that sometimes it is just necessary to pull an all-nighter or study for long hours. Yet, doing it all the time can severely impact the physical and mental state. That’s why it is essential not only to take preventive measures but remember that there is always help out there. Professionals at essay writing service can help with any type of written task if you cannot do it yourself. Let’s talk about other things that can help you relieve stress and refocus after studying.
Recognise the Symptoms: Mental exhaustion or fatigue is a serious condition. It can happen to anyone because of long or intense brain work. The brain gets tired even as well as the body. It uses 20% of the body’s energy, which is quite a lot. The main symptoms of this state are: Headaches; Lack of motivation; Irritation; Loss of concentration; Worsened sleep; Problems with digestion; Feeling overwhelmed and out of touch with your emotions; Changes in the mood, apathy, anger, cynicism. All of that can lead to other more severe issues if not treated. Luckily, there are several things one can do to unwind after a study session.
How to Unwind Your Brain: The main rule is to focus on something completely different, which does not involve intense thinking. Do not try to unwind by reading another textbook or studying another subject. It is only going to get worse. The best idea is to recharge by concentrating on the opposite activity.
Photo, Hanson Lu.
Dance: Physical activity in general is a great way to relax the brain. But not everyone is up to hard exercises or intense training after studying all night. A good compromise can be a dancing session. Do not worry; there is no need to know how to dance. And there is no need to go anywhere. You can do it in your room. Two main factors will help you here. First, listening to the music you like helps to relieve stress in itself. It is very effective in stress management and can uplift your mood or relax you, depending on the tune of tune you choose.
Photo, Morgan Petroski.
Secondly, dancing has several mental health benefits. If you practice it regularly, it also helps to reduce stress and even cope with anxiety and depression better. That’s why dance therapy exists. It is a fun activity that helps to be physically active and feel better in general. Turn on your headphones and dance for a bit.
Physical Exercises: Another great way to recharge the brain is to do some exercises. But do not go overboard, if you have mental fatigue, choose something light. There is no need for a HIIT session with burpees. You can do something relaxing, like stretching or yoga. Physical exercises have positive effects on mental state, too, and help to feel more energized and refreshed. If you have more energy, you can do squats or try a plank. It will release serotonin and boost your mood. Overall, choose the exercises you like and that work for you and train for some 20 minutes to feel better.
Take a Walk or Run: Another great way to do some physical activity is to walk a bit or run if you feel like it. Jogging can be very efficient in relaxing and rewinding the brain. After that, you can take a shower and go to sleep refreshed. If it seems too intense, a good walk outside will do the trick, too. First of all, you’ll get some fresh air, which is also important. After all, you’ve spent several hours in one room. Secondly, it is a light physical activity that is free and available to almost anyone. And if there is greenery around, it will also relieve stress. Seeing greenery has been proven to be effective to recharge mentally. If you have a dog – taking it to the walk will be even more fun.
Photo, Isabell Winter.
Breath Exercises: One of the easiest ways to relieve stress is to do breathing exercises. It is easier to do for everyone than meditation. And it doesn’t require any training; there are lots of tutorials online and on YouTube. Even a ten minute session can make a huge difference to your wellbeing. And it is quite efficient if you are doing it before going to bed. You’ll feel more relaxed immediately.
Take a Bath: For those who do not feel like doing anything at all, a hot bath is a perfect solution. It will relax your muscles and take your brain off studying. It is very relaxing and does not require any activity from you. And it is actually quite helpful for mental health in general. A study showed that 30 minutes of soaking a day can help a person with their mood and overall well-being. It also improves sleep so try it before going to bed. There are also studies that show that taking a bath regularly can help deal with depression. So it is a win-win situation. You do not have to do a lot, just relax and refresh your mind at the same time.
In Summary: It is essential to unwind after a long study session. Intense brain work can result in mental fatigue and even lead to burnout and constant stress. It is always better to balance out your studies and take breaks regularly. But if you have to do intense study sessions, do not forget to unwind after that. You can dance, do a little training, walk or run, or relax in a hot bath. Choose what works for you and do not forget to drink enough water and eat healthily.
