If you鈥檙e reading this, you鈥檙e not studying鈥� busted! Today鈥檚 post is about procrastination, more specifically 鈥減ositive procrastination.鈥� Procrastination has earned a bad reputation 鈥� we鈥檙e trained to think we don鈥檛 deserve downtime, and we often associate procrastination with video games or obsessively refreshing our email or 鈥渄oom scrolling鈥� social media. But, hey, you鈥檙e not going to study for eight hours straight without some kind of break anyway, and there are some productive ways to give your brain and body a boost when you take a breather.聽

Even though it might sound counterintuitive, we recommend making a list of things you can do when you need to take five. That way, you鈥檝e got your guilt-free activities all queued up. We started a list of 鈥減ositive procrastination鈥� examples for you, but feel free to add to it:

Take a Shower

You have to take one anyway, and a warm stream of water can be a great incubator for creative thought. so thoughts can flow creatively and freely. Sometimes our best ideas happen when we鈥檙e not actively trying to have them. So soap up, productive procrastinator!

Eat

This is another one you need to do anyway. Skipping meals can lead to which actually makes it more difficult to concentrate. Scarfing down a lot of food at once can make you sleepy so will keep you from going into a food coma. For a shorter 鈥減ositive procrastination鈥� break, we鈥檙e banana fans (!).

Stretch

This one鈥檚 especially for the slouchers out there. Five to ten minutes of stretching is great for your body, and lying on your back while gently holding your can help reset a lower spine crunchy from hunching over the keys. If you鈥檝e been typing for hours, try clasping your hands and rolling your wrists around for 30 seconds.

Tidy

Unclutter your mind by decluttering your work area. No need to spring clean, just pick one surface to clear or organize during your 鈥減ositive procrastination鈥� break. Keeping your space clear doesn鈥檛 just clear your mind, it can also have a .

Doodle

Here鈥檚 a novel idea: try 鈥減ositive procrastination鈥� while you study. There鈥檚 evidence that doodling while you鈥檙e learning by ear will actually help you concentrate and retain information. In one study, !

Do Laundry

This is a three-part productive procrastination technique: wash, dry, and fold. Even the short walk to and from the machines is good for breaking up a sedentary study session. Added bonus: you can time your study sprints around each cycle.

Take Water Breaks

Hydration begets concentration. Your , and it needs regular replenishment to operate at full capacity. Dehydration can affect more than your brain as well, from your metabolism to heart health to body temperature regulation. Get up, refill your glass or water bottle, and take a good long drink.

Stare Into Space

It鈥檚 no secret that staring at a screen at length can strain your eyes, and even do permanent damage. Your eyes need a study break, too. The is a quick and simple way to remind your eyes the world is bigger than your computer monitor. Choose a point in the distance (20 feet or so) and stare at it for 20 seconds. Do this every 20 minutes or so.

Call a Friend

This one鈥檚 good for intermission 鈥� a slightly longer break. Studying can feel isolating, especially when you鈥檙e cramming for exams, and talking to someone can be a morale booster. There鈥檚 nothing wrong with dialing up a friend or loved one. You鈥檝e earned a little dose of friendly endorphins to help ease stress and remember there鈥檚 life beyond books.

To sum up: You don鈥檛 need to space out your breaks precisely 鈥� if you鈥檙e on a roll, by all means, stick with your learning. But cycling through the above will help you become a productive procrastinator and stay happy, healthy, and focused, without feeling guilty. And now that you鈥檝e finished reading this (hopefully helpful) post鈥� get back to work!

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