I've been pushing through my dissertation with no breaks, convinced that any time not writing was wasted. The result? I'm exhausted, my writing is terrible, and I hate everything I produce. A dissertation coach's advice hit me hard: “Take breaks before you're broken” .
She explains: “The obsession with work seems embedded not only into our current civilization but also into academic pursuits. We are all focused, dedicated, committed, even driven in our scholarly work” . But this drive backfires when we don't rest.
Her suggestions:
The coach also recommends: “If you have a movement practice already – running, weight training, yoga – keep it up. Don't skimp on exercise when working toward a deadline” . I've started walking for 20 minutes before my writing sessions. It clears my head and makes me more focused.
For other PhD students: how do you balance the pressure to work constantly with the need to rest? I'm still figuring it out, but I'm learning that breaks aren't a luxury – they're part of the process.
She explains: “The obsession with work seems embedded not only into our current civilization but also into academic pursuits. We are all focused, dedicated, committed, even driven in our scholarly work” . But this drive backfires when we don't rest.
Her suggestions:
- Schedule breaks like appointments. Non-negotiable.
- Move your body. A walk, yoga, anything to get blood flowing.
- Do something completely unrelated. Cook, watch a movie, call a friend.
- Sleep. Real sleep, not guilt-ridden sleep.
The coach also recommends: “If you have a movement practice already – running, weight training, yoga – keep it up. Don't skimp on exercise when working toward a deadline” . I've started walking for 20 minutes before my writing sessions. It clears my head and makes me more focused.
For other PhD students: how do you balance the pressure to work constantly with the need to rest? I'm still figuring it out, but I'm learning that breaks aren't a luxury – they're part of the process.
