Groggy, tired, overwhelmed, and stressed students are very commonly found walking the halls of St. Paul Academy and Summit School, especially around exams. As students start studying and preparing for exams, they commonly reach a point of brain fatigue. When someone becomes brain fatigued they are exhausted to the point they are unable to focus any longer.

Sophomore Dorienne Hoven feels most brain fatigued when she has not gotten a lot of sleep, when work is piling up, when deadlines are abundant, or when she has a very full and busy day. Hoven’s relaxation techniques change depending on whether she is in or out of school. “I like to sit and listen to music and close my eyes because it helps me relax [in school],” Hoven said.Out of school Hoven likes to watch Netflix, stop and read for a bit, or eat something.

“I like to talk with my sister because she is a good distraction, since she is six with endless amounts of energy,” Hoven said.

Junior Cole Thompson feels most brain fatigued towards the end of the day, especially when he has not gotten enough sleep the night before, or when he’s exhausted himself mentally.  “[If I] have done some really intense mental activity that day, like after a debate tournament I will be really tired mentally,” Thompson said.

“There is no true way to beat brain fatigue,” Sarah Davies, the Director for the Center of Learning and Teaching said, “The best way to sustain focus and energy is taking care of the body. Getting enough sleep, eating nutritiously, and being aware of physical and mental health.”

Teenagers between the ages of 14-17 need eight to ten hours of sleep each night, however most teens do not get enough sleep; one study found only 15% of teenagers slept between the recommended amount of hours according to the National Sleep Foundation.

 “[When students reach brain fatigue] I see the inability to absorb any more information and remember what they already knew,” Davies said. When students feel brain fatigued it is important to take effective breaks that encourage “refreshing and recharging while staying in the zone because it helps efficiency.”

Senior Alena Porter feels tired everyday but most brain fatigued when she has big events. “I especially felt [brain fatigued] after my senior speech. I had Physics and Statistics after and I was just done,” Porter said.

A senior speech followed by two rigorous classes may feel like a unique situation, but even on regular days, Porter admits to brain fatigue from time to time.  When this happens, “I wander the halls, and I stop to talk and go with people as I see people I know,” Porter said. “If I have 20 minutes [at home]  I’ll watch an episode of friends on Netflix, but that also has the tendency to turn into a couple hours, so I’ll stop what I’m doing and find someone in the house to talk to, or play with or walk my dog.”

Freshman Joseph Kase feels brain fatigued after completing a bunch of homework or after taking multiple tests in one day. Kase likes to listen to music when taking breaks in-school and when taking breaks outside of school “I definitely like to sleep, watch T.V., movies, or play video games,” Kase said.

These breaks include more than just rubbing the eyes or taking a quick arm stretch. Davies said that “Getting exercise is one of the best breaks because it gets the blood moving through the body, and most importantly the brain.”

Oxygen is essential for brain function, and exercise is a dependable way to boost blood flow, and oxygen, to the brain according to Eric Jensen, who has a PhD in Human Development. Jensen also found 68% of high school students do not participate in a daily physical education program, or sports program; and although many teachers know about the positive results between movement and learning, most ignore the studies after students exceed first or second grade. “Educators should purposely integrate movement into everyday learning,” Jensen said, providing examples as simple as changing seats or reviewing by tossing a ball.

Sophomore Erik Quillopa feels most brain fatigued towards the end of the week or when he has not slept enough the night before. “[When taking breaks in school] I like to get a drink of water, stretch a little, and sometimes think to myself.” Quillopa has the same break routine in school as he does out of school, though at home he adds walks to his list for some exercise. When getting back into studying after taking a break “I like to sit at my desk and pop up Veracross while looking over my notes. Sometimes I will put on some calm music,” Quillopa said

Thompson likes to do homework that does not require much thinking for him, such as a reading assignment, or he likes to get a drink and go on a walk when he’s taking a break at school. “Usually when I get brain fatigued it is when I get home after school, and I think part of that has to do with just being tired after a full school day,” Thompson said.

When taking a break outside of school Thompson likes to play music, play a simple video game, or sometimes he will make a snack or go on a walk. Something that distances him from school and homework. Thompson likes to “wipe his slate blank,” or take everything  off his desk that he doesn’t need and have a snack set up while he is working.

US Counselor Susanna Short said that “Paying attention to sleep diet and exercise,” are the best ways to stay alert “because when we do, all of us are in better shape to handle what is in front of us and to handle it joyfully since we are not worn down.”