We're always looking for some kind of entertainment, even when we exercise. Some scientists belive giving your brain a little downtime might help you learn better. (Hemera/Thinkstock)

I know, it’s TechStuff, so I should be telling you to pick up the electronics, right? According to a study at the University of California, San Francisco quoted by Matt Richtel of The New York Times, rats engaged with new experiences go through periods of intense brain activity. But the rats don’t actually process what they’ve experienced and learn from that experience until they stop and have the chance to think about it. Richtel said the researchers believe the same may be true for people as well.

Richtel used the example of people who use multiple electronic devices while they exercise. These activities may be entertaining, but it’s difficult to learn while continually exposing yourself to more media. Researchers at the University of Michigan found that people learn better after taking a walk in nature than in the city. Richtel said this may mean the constant flow of information may be wearing people out. So constantly checking your e-mail could be slowing you down, not speeding you up.

Increasingly, people are trying to find new ways to occupy those little bits of time, including game manufacturers, which Richtel said are creating applications to be used in five minutes or less. We’ve come to expect constant entertainment, even if it keeps us from digesting the information we encounter.

Does this sound like you? Perhaps this weekend you should take a break and do something away from your electronic devices. If nothing else, it’ll be an interesting experiment.

If you decide to try it out, let us know how it went. You can check in with us on Facebook and Twitter.