Taking five minute ‘brain breaks’ can increase productivity in tasks by more than 50 per cent, study finds

Taking a five minute ‘brain break’ can increase performance and productivity in subsequent tasks by over 50 per cent, a study has found.

In the University of Sydney experiment, 72 students undertook a self-taught lesson and two gruelling mental maths tests.

Those who were allowed a five minute break between the tasks averaged 57 per cent higher marks – when other ability factors were taken into account – in the second test than those who powered through without stopping.

Some of the ‘rested’ students took unstructured breaks while others were asked to watch a relaxing nature video, but both groups performed better in the second challenge than their unrested peers.

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