We are all familiar with this moment in music lessons, sports or when learning vocabulary: after several repetitions, we take a break and feel much better afterwards.
Researchers used to believe that the brain continued to work during this rest period. However, thanks to the research of Anwesha Das, Elena Azañón and Max-Philipp Stenner, we now have a better understanding of what really happens: the brain uses the break to regenerate and prepare for the next task.
What was investigated?
The research team conducted five experiments with volunteer participants. The participants were asked to learn sequences of finger movements, with one group taking breaks and the other not. The researchers wanted to find out whether breaks lead to additional learning or only to short-term recovery.
Initially, the group with breaks performed better in training, and their performance was higher immediately after a break. However, after more practice, both groups performed equally well. The initial advantage of the break disappeared.
The researchers interpreted this as meaning that breaks give participants a chance to rest and plan their next steps, but they do not replace active practice, in which learning actually takes place.
Notably, even when a new sequence of movements followed a break, i.e. when it was not possible to repeat the previously learnt sequence, the group that took breaks improved in the short term. This suggests that the effect comes from preparation, not learning at rest.
However, when participants were unable to plan ahead, the benefit of the break decreased significantly. Therefore, breaks are most helpful when you know what comes next immediately afterwards.
These results contradict the previous assumption that the brain continues to learn during breaks. In fact, breaks only help through rest and planning. The conclusion is therefore that active practice is required for learning.
What does this mean in everyday life?
- Anyone practising something new, such as a piano piece, a sporting movement or a new keyboard shortcut, can use a short break to recharge their batteries and plan their next steps.
- Learning progress will increase, but not just because of the break. Practice remains crucial.
- Plan breaks actively: if you know what will happen after the break, you can use it particularly effectively.
- If a completely new task begins after a break, the positive effect is less pronounced.
- For teachers, trainers and music teachers: this study does not refute the value of breaks. On the contrary, breaks are valuable. However, they do not replace learning; they support it.
Breaks ≠ automatic learning. Practice + planning + rest = progress.
Taking breaks is important because it restores energy, creates clarity and improves concentration.
However, learning occurs through active practice.
Those who make conscious use of breaks learn more effectively, not because the brain continues to work in the meantime, but because the breaks give the brain time to reorganise itself.