Blissed-Out Kids: The Power of 45 Minutes of Recess
Fourth graders given 45 minutes of recess daily had 68 percent lower cortisol levels—a biological marker of chronic stress—than peers receiving 30 minutes. Unstructured outdoor play not only improves mood and behavior but also strengthens social skills and resilience. Combined with historical research showing long-term benefits of independent play, findings argue that schools should expand recess, not shrink it, to support student well-being.
Research: The Power of 45 Minutes of Recess
by Michael Keany
yesterday
Blissed-Out Kids: The Power of 45 Minutes of Recess
Fourth graders given 45 minutes of recess daily had 68 percent lower cortisol levels—a biological marker of chronic stress—than peers receiving 30 minutes. Unstructured outdoor play not only improves mood and behavior but also strengthens social skills and resilience. Combined with historical research showing long-term benefits of independent play, findings argue that schools should expand recess, not shrink it, to support student well-being.
Original Article
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Prepared with the assistance of AI software
OpenAI. (2025). ChatGPT (4) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com