what do small breaks with the brain and learning

Brief breaks during learning help the brain replay and reinforce what you just practiced, which can speed skill acquisition and improve retention.

• 1. Micro-rest periods: Pausing for about 10 seconds between practice bouts can lead to faster learning than practicing continuously. During the pause, avoid switching to another task so the brain can process what you practiced. 1
• 2. Rapid replay: During these breaks, the hippocampus and cortex replay the practiced sequence at roughly 20 times normal speed, effectively adding repetitions without further active practice. 2
• 3. Memory consolidation: This replay is part of how the brain consolidates learning; Huberman compares it with the rapid replay that occurs during sleep. 3
• 4. Different kinds of learning: These spacing effects have been demonstrated for language learning as well as motor skills, among other forms of learning. 4