News
Check out a video abstract of a new study about a subject we all love—the importance of taking breaks at work.
But this is about taking a break after learning something new. The researcher calls this “active rest.” Sleep is understood to be a time when memory consolidates new learning but this is about consolidating new learning while the worker is awake.
The video features the lead author whose new study was just published and you will find it on the website of the journal, Neuron.
“Great news for working stiffs: You can take a break and feel good about it, new research suggests.
“If you want to strengthen your memory, take a break after learning new information, say New York University researchers who found such “active rest” strengthens memory. (Emphasis added)
“While sleep has been studied and found valuable as a way to preserve memories, less is known about how “active rest” during the day may affect them, said Lila Davachi, an assistant professor of psychology at NYU. So, she tested the memory of 16 study participants and evaluated the effect of rest on memory.“The study is published in the Jan. 28 issue of Neuron. The lead author of the study is Arielle Tambini, a doctoral candidate at NYU.”
Source: Business Week/Health Day News, January 29, 2010
Citation: Neuron, Volume 65, Issue 2, 280-290, 28 January 2010
