Taking Breaks In School

Uitwaaien (pronounced: out-vwy-ehn) is a Dutch word which means to ‘to take a walk, usually outside, to clear one’s head.’ Taking breaks are often used as a way to clear people's minds and to return to work refreshed. This concept of taking multiple breaks throughout the school day can also benefit students. As a result of this, students are more productive, more creative, yet less stressed.
As mentioned above, short, outdoor breaks help students by boosting their productivity; during these breaks, they would be allowed to walk around, eat a snack, and just relax. To begin, having a break replenishes the student’s mental energy to do their work. This is called psychological detachment. Psychological detachment, in essence, is disengaging from …show more content…
To begin, creativity is a necessary element for classes such as art, drama, and creative writing. In these classes, students must be able to think creatively to compose their stunning sculptures, spectacular skits and satisfying stories. Even if it is for a short time, being in nature can boost a students creativity levels by allowing their mind to detach from their serious work and wander off. Secondly, taking walks increases blood flow to the brain, which increases activity in the brain. The blood flows to all eleven regions of the brain responsible for creativity. Thanks to more blood flow, the student become more creative. Lastly, taking short walks has helped companies such as Apple and Facebook succeed creatively; if schools follow the same line of logic, so students will succeed in the creativity department as well. Both Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg held their meetings on walks, allowing each member of the company’s mind to wander freely and generate ideas. Since the employees and students have the same human brain, student’s creativity - when it comes to projects - will be boosted just like it did for the employees behind the some of the most used technological marvels. These kinds of creatives thoughts are increased by having quick outdoor breaks, and these breaks also help the student becomes less …show more content…
First of all, students aren’t doing academic activities while outside, so their mind is off of the worries of the day. While outside, they will be focusing on walking and enjoying themselves. Because they are distracted while outside, they aren’t thinking about the stresses their day brings. Having a student's mind wander is wonderful, but outdoor exercise actually increases levels of dopamine and endorphins. Dopamine is often called a ‘feel-good’ hormone, and endorphins are pain relievers; both of these play a role in stress relief. Even a short walk can increase levels of dopamine and endorphins, which then decreases stress. Lastly, being outside reduces cognitive fatigue, which ultimately lowers stress; cognitive fatigue is caused by too many distractions and stimuli in the man-made world, which stresses the brain. Students often have cognitive fatigue thanks to their work. However, a simple view of the natural world can reverse this effect. By being outside, the students cognitive fatigue is reduced. As a result, outdoor breaks lower levels of stress. This is one of the many reasons why students need these breaks.
Some of the many important things schools value are productive students, creative students, and stress-free students. Having short, outdoor breaks for light exercise helps schools achieve their ideal students. With these breaks, students will ultimately finish more work, perform