Anywhere Body Breaks

Why use these quick anywhere body breaks all through the day?

Movement is the super food for the brain and body. This Just Right Zone is a game changer!

There is little evidence regarding a human’s maximum focus time length and of course would always be dependent on a multiple of variables. This is related to, just to name a few: preferred or non-preferred activities, environment, diet, sleep, hormones hydration, stress and anxiety and / or teaching quality. 

Some research indicates that an adult can attend for only about the duration of 20 minutes at a time….which also goes onto to suggest that you will usually remember the information only in the first and last 5 minutes. 

Certain literature says that an indication of a young child’s sitting and listening and keeping on task time can be calculated in the range of 2 minutes per age year. In my experience, it is dependent on so many factors too. Taking an estimate to calculate this would be with a child below 10 years’ age and  then give or take 5 minutes. So, a typical 7-year-old likely to be keeping on task for between 7 to 12 minutes before a re-focus or off task action. 

Big Body breaks lasting 5 to 20 minutes are ideal for supporting access to task focus and getting into that all important Just Right Zone. 

However more can also be done WHILST working…. These are the ANYWHERE body BREAKS - mini breaks lasting a few seconds every 10 to 15 minutes without having to leave your desk woven throughout the day and supplementing the Big Body Breaks. Little Super Power Moves to achieve more moments in the Just Right Zone! All you need in the beginning is a reminder to make this an easy but powerful habit. This really works with the understanding and support including modelling  of your teacher /parents and other adults.

Retaining information for longer especially when physical gestures or activity are involved is a bonus side effect of this behaviour. 

This is so challenging now with most of learning and work remotely. The great news these Anywhere Body Breaks are ideal for Zoom or Teams sessions and always in live real classrooms! This helps the presenter and the participants all at the same time – have a go – set a reminder like a Time Timer and see the difference this makes in a  lesson and then a day and definitely forever!

Here are 10 more ways movement is positive for physical and mental health and getting into the Just Right Zone - all important for getting ready for learning:



1. Self-monitoring and awareness
2. Keeping on task
3. Re-focus ability
4. Working memory
5. Impulse control
6. Motor planning
7. Organisational skills
8. Motivation and self-concept
9. Academic scores
10. Verbal comprehension

Anywhere Body Breaks …. A healthy just right habit worthy to make automatic as a lifelong life skill for all round mental health and a happier brain and body! Contented and calmer classrooms too !