New research suggests taking a break after learning new information may help individuals better retain what they’ve learned.

Researchers at New York University evaluated the effect of rest on the memories of 16 study participants. The subjects were shown images of objects with faces and were then told to rest while scientists monitored parts of the brain known to play a significant role in memory – the hippocampus and cortical regions.

The study found that these brain regions remained active during participants’ rest periods, suggesting that the brain was working to "cement" the memories.

"Your brain is working for you when you are resting, so rest is important for memory and cognitive function," said the study’s lead author, Dr. Lila Davachi. "Your brain wants you to tune out other tasks so you can tune in to what you just learned."

Besides taking a break, healthcare experts suggest taking certain nutritional supplements to help boost memory. They include vitamins B6, B12, C and E as well as gingko, ginseng, huperzine A and pomegranate.

The study’s results are published in the recent issue of the journal Neuron.