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I am regardful of this other question on decompression but herein, I'm asking about a longer period of repose (to distinguish it from the aforesaid "break") based on empirical, scientific evidence.

For example, the mathematician John Littlewood wrote that he would take Sunday off every week.

  1. Should reposes be taken? Or do short breaks suffice; is it productive to work everyday, as long as you break as according to the linked question above ?

  2. If so, how long should each repose last?

  3. If so, how often should reposes be taken?

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LePress - your 4th question is off topic here. Please do not add it back into the question. Recommendations are off topic. –  Rory Alsop Oct 30 '13 at 21:41

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According to studies by Professor K. Anders Ericsson and his colleagues at Florida State University, working in 90-minute intervals maximizes productivity. Elite performers apparently work in uninterrupted sessions for no more than 90 minutes. Normally they don't work for more than 4.5 hours in any given day. Breaks should be between 20-30 minutes.

So, instead of thinking "What can I get done in an 8 hour day", think "What can I get done in a 90 minute session".

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