Until now, we have emphasised the importance of focusing and embracing frustration. But learning has two stages. One of them is focus and frustration. The other one is rest. Resting is important for learning.
Learning is associated with changes in your brain. But the changes in your brain actually don’t happen while studying. They happen at rest.
The focus and frustration stage is just a highlighter. Neurotransmitters are released during learning just to highlight areas in your brain relevant to what you are trying to learn. They mark places for possible change. However, the actual changes happen during rest. This is the power of pause.
During rest, a replay happens of what you tried to learn. Alongside this replay, changes are being made to your brain’s wiring. These changes are associated with learning.
Here are a few methods from Andrew Hubermann to incorporate rest into your learning routine.
During your study, you can do micro resting. Randomly, while you are studying, just pause for 10 seconds. Eyes open or closed. Just be where you are, pause and continue studying afterwards. According to Hubermann, research has shown a positive effect of these micro rests during studying. You can do this multiple times while you are learning.
Another method is to rest after you studied. Every 60–90 minutes of studying can be followed up by a 10–15 minute deep rest routine. No phone, no TV, no chores. Just rest.
The final and most obvious method to rest is at night with a good night’s sleep.
Try implementing these resting routines to unlock the power of pause.
