Our brain constantly tries to deceive us and work in a way that is more convenient for it, and not in the way we want. A striking example of this is procrastination, when, when solving a problem, the mind finds a reason to get distracted from it under any pretext. In addition, scientists have noticed another feature – if a person has a task and time allotted for its solution, the brain tries to fill this time completely, instead of quickly completing the work and solving more problems in the allotted time. Scientists explained why this happens and how to avoid this problem.
Scientists have revealed how to make the brain perform mental work more effectively. Photo source: pixabay.com
Contents
- 1 The rhythmic cycle of the brain – what is it
- 2 How long do the rhythmic cycles of the brain last
- 3 How to avoid a decrease in brain productivity
- 4 The brain sometimes does not have time to rest at night
The rhythmic cycle of the brain – what is it
Our brain has its own rhythms, like a metronome pendulum. For example, when we sleep, it goes through different states in equal amounts of time, namely 90 minutes, from deep sleep to the rapid eye movement (REM) phase, during which we dream.
Back in the 1960s, scientists suggested that this rhythm persists even when we are awake. For this reason, people experience subtle ups and downs in productivity throughout the day. Scientists later called this phenomenon the basic rest-activity cycle, or BRAC. In a healthy, untired person, this cycle does not cause any problems, as it is easy to overcome. However, the situation changes when a person has been engaged in mental work for a long time and has become tired.
The brain reduces its efficiency after 90 minutes of intense exercise. Photo source: belarus.kp.ru
How long do rhythmic cycles of the brain last
According to scientists, when we are awake, each cycle of productivity rise and fall is the same 90 minutes. Therefore, intensive mental activity for more than an hour and a half is tiring for most people. As a result, productivity is greatly reduced. This can lead to a slowdown in solving a particular task.
Scientists have known about these 90-minute cycles for a long time. Incidentally, this is why early Hollywood films were cut to be no longer than 90 minutes. Thanks to this, moviegoers in cinemas maintained their concentration on the film throughout the entire session. Many sporting events, such as football and rugby matches, also last about ninety minutes. This, of course, does not mean that after 100 minutes people simply stop watching the film or football match, but fatigue occurs, as a result of which concentration decreases.
How to avoid a decrease in brain productivity
To avoid brain slowdown, scientists recommend scheduling work sessions so that they last no longer than 90 minutes. This time can be adjusted depending on how tired you are. For example, at the end of the day, work sessions are best broken down into 60 minutes rather than 90.
Scientists recommend taking a 10-minute break after each 90-minute work session. Photo source: newbusiness.su
After each such work session, it is necessary to take a break. When a person resumes intensive mental work after a short rest, he continues to be concentrated and able to engage in intensive mental activity. That is, the 90-minute cycle begins again. According to researchers from Florida, a 10-minute break is enough to “zero out” the rhythmic cycle of the brain.
In addition, to increase the productivity of mental work, scientists recommend trying to do 80% of the work at the very beginning of the cycle, that is, during the first 20% of the work session. During this period, the brain is most productive. Less complex work should be left for the end of the work cycle, when the brain begins to slow down. If several tasks need to be completed during the work cycle, scientists recommend ranking them from simple to complex.
If the pace of completing tasks has slowed down significantly, it is better to put the work aside and take a ten-minute break, and then start doing them again. At first glance, each break takes 10 minutes of your time, but in fact it allows you to complete the work faster than in the case of a multi-hour work cycle without breaks. This way, even procrastination is easier to cope with, unless it is a sign of health problems.
Scientists' advice does not apply to creative work, which requires a different approach. Photo source: theladders.com
But these recommendations do not apply to creative work, which requires a special approach. It should be done when it works well. If, for example, the mind is immersed in creative ideas, a break can interrupt this process, and subsequently no longer “tune” into a creative mood.
Sometimes the brain does not have time to rest during the night
Researchers claim that breaks help restore brain productivity only if a person engages in mental activity for no more than four hours a day. With longer, intensive work, the brain becomes so tired that not only 10 minutes of rest, but also a full night's sleep is not enough. In this case, fatigue is carried over to the next day.
Sometimes even a night is not enough for the brain to rest after mental activity. Photo source: kp.ru
Perhaps you yourself have noticed that after the weekend you begin to do mental work faster and easier. This can be explained by the fact that the brain is completely rested over the weekend.
Be sure to visit our Zen and Telegram channels, here you will find the most interesting news from the world of science and the latest discoveries!
But what is the 90-minute rhythmic cycle of the brain connected with? In a 2003 study, Polish scientists suggested that it is built into the brain as a protective function that protects the mind from information overload. That is, in this way the brain gives itself time to rest a little and not “overheat”.