What Does the Research Say?
In 2022, researchers from West University of Timișoara published a comprehensive review of 19 scientific studies on so-called “micro-breaks” – short interruptions of no more than 10 minutes taken between work sessions. The results were remarkably clear.
Micro-breaks have a distinct positive effect on well-being. Participants who took short breaks reported increased energy and vitality (what researchers call “vigor”), while also feeling less exhausted. These effects were consistent across all studies – regardless of whether participants were students or employees, and regardless of what type of break they took.
When it came to performance, the picture was more nuanced. Generally speaking, micro-breaks did not produce significant improvement in performance on cognitively demanding tasks. However – and this is interesting for musicians – the breaks had a positive effect on creative tasks and routine work. The longer the break (up to 10 minutes), the better the performance.
What Does This Mean for Practice?
Practicing an instrument is a mixture of several types of activity: technical drilling (routine work), musical exploration (creative work), and focused learning (cognitively demanding). The research suggests that micro-breaks may be especially valuable for the first two categories.
Perhaps even more important is the effect on well-being. As a musician, you know that motivation and energy are crucial for good practice. If short breaks can keep you more alert throughout your practice session, that alone can lead to better results over time.
An interesting finding from the study is that micro-breaks do not harm performance, even though they reduce the total time spent on the task. In other words: You lose nothing by taking a short break – but you may gain a great deal.
Practical Tips for Practicing with Micro-Breaks
Suggested Practice Structure
Based on the research findings, we suggest the following approach to practice sessions in Soundsteps:
|
Phase |
Duration |
Activity |
|
Practice Block 1 |
20–25 min |
Focused work on repertoire |
|
Micro-Break |
5–10 min |
See suggestions below |
|
Practice Block 2 |
20–25 min |
Continue with repertoire or technique |
|
Micro-Break |
5–10 min |
See suggestions below |
|
Practice Block 3 |
15–20 min |
Run-through or creative exploration |
This structure provides a total practice time of approximately 75 minutes, including two micro-breaks. For shorter sessions, you can skip one break; for longer sessions, you can add more blocks.
What Should You Do During the Break?
The research shows that many different break activities work – the most important thing is that you do something other than what you’re practicing. Here are some suggestions:
Physical movement: Stretching, a short walk, or some simple exercises. Studies show that physical breaks can reduce fatigue and increase positive emotions.
Nature experiences: Look out the window, step onto the balcony, or view pictures of nature. This can have a restorative effect on attention.
Relaxation: Close your eyes, breathe deeply, or simply sit quietly. The brain needs time to consolidate what you’ve just learned.
Social contact: A brief chat with someone in your household or a quick message to a friend can boost vitality.
Avoid: Work-related activities during the break. The study found that job-related break activities were actually associated with reduced well-being.
How to Use This in Soundsteps
Soundsteps is designed to help you organize and plan your repertoire. Here are some concrete ways to integrate micro-breaks into your practice routine:
1. Divide your repertoire: When planning your practice session, distribute your pieces across 2–3 blocks of 20–25 minutes each.
2. Set reminders: Use a timer or clock to remind yourself to take a break. It’s easy to lose track of time when you’re in the flow!
3. Make notes in Soundsteps: Use the notes feature to record how your energy level is before and after breaks. Over time, you can identify patterns in what works best for you.
4. Vary your break activities: Try different types of breaks and discover what gives you the most energy back.
Summary
The research is clear: Short breaks of 5–10 minutes can make you more energetic and less fatigued during practice. For creative tasks and routine work, they can also improve your performance. The key is that the break should be a genuine interruption – do something completely different from what you’re practicing.
Next time you sit down to practice, try scheduling a micro-break after 20–25 minutes. Your body and brain will thank you – and your music may improve as a bonus.
Source: Albulescu, P., Macsinga, I., Rusu, A., Sulea, C., Bodnaru, A., & Tulbure, B. T. (2022). “Give me a break!” A systematic review and meta-analysis on the efficacy of micro-breaks for increasing well-being and performance. PLOS ONE, 17(8), e0272460.