A short break can help you to relax and recharge your batteries, and it can also give you the opportunity to pursue an interest or make new friends. It may last a few hours, an evening or an overnight stay or a weekend and could take place at home or away from it.

You might be tempted to neglect breaks, especially when you’re studying, but studies show that taking breaks can be an effective way of increasing your productivity. They can also improve your mental health and energy levels, and they may help you to focus better.

It’s best to try and plan your breaks. This can be done by making a list of activities that meet the criteria above, and then setting an alarm on your phone to remind you when it’s time for a break. You could even get an accountability buddy, so you’re not alone.

Using screens regularly can drain your eyes, so it’s important to take breaks away from them to keep them fresh and relaxed. Screens emit blue light that can be irritating to the eyes. Ideally, your breaks should be timed to avoid screen use and can include non-screen activities like reading or going for a walk.

You should try and take a break every day if possible, even if it’s just for a few minutes. It might be a simple activity like taking a walk or listening to music.

Some people find it helpful to switch tasks during their breaks – for example, if they are feeling burned out on one task, they might change it to something else that will give them some respite. This strategy is called interleaving and some studies have found it can be as beneficial as a long break.

Another study found that a longer break, but not a vacation, was more restorative than a shorter one, and that this effect could be linked to the environment in which people took their break. Researchers found that people who travelled to a familiar destination were more likely to feel rested than those who traveled to an unfamiliar place, and those who spent a short break in a discordant environment felt less refreshed.

The authors suggest that this is because a short break can be easier to arrange than a longer vacation, and it is a more familiar environment which will contribute more to your well-being.

A short break is often a way for people to get some respite from their caring roles, and it can help you to recharge your batteries or spend time with family or friends. It can also help you to develop a new interest or hobby, and it can be useful for building your confidence in your ability to look after yourself.

It’s a legal requirement for local authorities to have a range of short breaks services and to make them clear to families who need them. These services can be for disabled children or young people and their families, and they can be organised by community organisations.