Whether you’re working on an assignment, writing notes or studying for exams, it’s important to take frequent breaks so you don’t overload your poor brain. Not only does stress diminish your ability to sleep, but studies have also found that it actually reduces your immune system’s ability to function.

Below are 9 “well-reasoned” things you can do to not only reduce your stress but also help you make the most out of your breaks.

1) Clear your rest space of anything uni-related
To try and relax efficiently, remove any reminders of your work from wherever you are resting. If you leave your work or study notes within view of where you are resting, it can distract you and serve as a horrible reminder of what your brain is escaping from.

2) Eat chocolate…lots of it…
Not only does chocolate release endorphins (the “happy” chemicals) in your brain, it can be argued that the calcium and antioxidants in chocolate in beneficial to your health. Studies have also found that dark chocolate reduces stress and can make you smarter (supposedly). So eat chocolate on your breaks if you want to be happy and “healthy”. Just don’t eat “too much” – wouldn’t want to give yourself diabetes.

3) Watch an episode of a TV show
Watching something you find entertaining can be extremely relaxing and enjoyable, especially because it serves as an efficient distractor from memories of your work

4) Read a novel
Being drawn into a good plot is amazingly effective as distracting you from reminders of work and allows your brain to recharge. The only downside is that books can be highly addictive and hard to put down, so save this for the end of the day as a reward (or as a means of procrastination if you really don’t want to go back to work)

5) Eat junk food
There’s a reason it is called “comfort food”

6) Go for a jog
You will actually be surprised by how good burning muscles are at distracting you from work as well as releasing endorphins and reducing stress!!! It gives your brain a chance to relax and fosters brain growth. Science has proven that exercise can give birth to new brain cells – and that gives all of us lowly uni students some hope

7) Nap
Not only are they great and relaxing, studies have found that napping for 20-30 minutes (the ideal amount of time) improves mood, alertness and performance, and doesn’t leave you feeling groggy afterwards

8) Eat something healthy so you’re not so guilt-ridden from all the junk food
Not only are vegetables and fruit good snacks, but they provide you with essential vitamins and minerals that give you all-round good health, and won’t do to your body what junk food does – clog your arteries and turn you into a rolling, jiggly blob

9) "Sex, sex, sex, sex," (quoted from a USyd Psych student, 2015)
Not that this is an official recommendation, but sex is also another efficient releaser of endorphins in your brain and also releases Immuniglobulin A which wards off colds and flu. Sex has also been linked with brain cell regeneration, improving sleep AND reducing stress.

A pretty efficient way to be happy and healthy (and easily get your mind off work), just saying. wink, wink. nudge, nudge

You don’t have to do all or even one of these suggestions, but hopefully they help you make the most of those precious “study” breaks. If not, just enjoy the gifs – they’re bound to bring a smile to even the most battle-hardened uni student.