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Long-term stress erodes memory

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Re: Long-term stress erodes memory

#21

Post by navs »

Question1101 wrote: post #16

So what can you do? How can you escape it?

I don't know if this is for everybody but I've found a love of Muay Thai. It's taken me away from the computer and almost feels like I'm 'levelling up'. +10 stamina +10 agility.

The other things I'm trying: - Daily meditation - Regular sleep routine. - Got rid of my smartphone - Ignore all social media - Unitasking with one screen, one task at a time

This is some of the stuff I've been doing to help alleviate the stress that I put on myself. Might work for some, might not.

Re: Long-term stress erodes memory

#22

Post by posterboy »

dom0 wrote: post #4
asdfologist wrote: post #2

Stress tends to wreak havoc on the entire body, so I'd have been surprised if this weren't the case.

A couple years ago I remember reading an article that bullying in school has strong epigenetic effects in the children given birth to by bullied people. That realization, that by bullying people you don't just break them , but even hurt their unborn children ...

now a blamed bully might argue that correlation != causation.

Re: Long-term stress erodes memory

#23

Post by kingmanaz »

stevanl wrote: post #17
thro3212 wrote: post #12

Sadly I can confirm this from personal experience. I was under a lot of stress for the past three years. Before stress started I had almost photographic memory. I was not very smart software developer. But ability to recall patterns and documentation fast, made me very productive. I worked at CS semi-research position and spoke at conference every other month. Now it takes mental effort to recall what I did 4 hours a…

Would you mind elaborating a bit on the "took every advantage I could to compensate for the damage caused by stress." In a similar position and would be good to learn what worked for you.

Suggestions:

Epictetus' Enchiridion. A cheap, used Dover Editions copy off Ebay is all one needs.

Also, if a Christian, morning and evening prayers by candlelight using the 1928 Book of Common Prayer.

Re: Long-term stress erodes memory

#25

Post by marcosdumay »

navs wrote: post #14

Oh what a vicious cycle this is. As someone battling with depression, I tend to take on a lot of side projects and extra work in order to keep my mind busy and avoid those thoughts. Then I get stressed because I have so much to do.

> avoid those thoughts

Avoiding anything is always the worst option. Get some professional help on how to deal with the thoughts.

Re: Long-term stress erodes memory

#27

Post by peller »

kingmanaz wrote: post #23
stevanl wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Would you mind elaborating a bit on the "took every advantage I could to compensate for the damage caused by stress." In a similar position and would be good to learn what worked for you.

Suggestions: Epictetus' Enchiridion. A cheap, used Dover Editions copy off Ebay is all one needs. Also, if a Christian, morning and evening prayers by candlelight using the 1928 Book of Common Prayer.

Enchiridion is free online: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/45109

Re: Long-term stress erodes memory

#28

Post by thro3212 »

manmal wrote: post #15
thro3212 wrote: post #12

Sadly I can confirm this from personal experience. I was under a lot of stress for the past three years. Before stress started I had almost photographic memory. I was not very smart software developer. But ability to recall patterns and documentation fast, made me very productive. I worked at CS semi-research position and spoke at conference every other month. Now it takes mental effort to recall what I did 4 hours a…

May I ask what stressed you out like this?

new child

Re: Long-term stress erodes memory

#29

Post by thro3212 »

stevanl wrote: post #17
thro3212 wrote: post #12

Sadly I can confirm this from personal experience. I was under a lot of stress for the past three years. Before stress started I had almost photographic memory. I was not very smart software developer. But ability to recall patterns and documentation fast, made me very productive. I worked at CS semi-research position and spoke at conference every other month. Now it takes mental effort to recall what I did 4 hours a…

Would you mind elaborating a bit on the "took every advantage I could to compensate for the damage caused by stress." In a similar position and would be good to learn what worked for you.

At start I dropped everything non essential, then fixed it one thing at a time. Key was to establish routine and patterns, which does not drain mental energy and time from me.

For example I have simple exercise routine I do every evening. It is just stuff I do before shower and bed. I also stopped driving in narrow city roads, I leave a car at motorway exit and walk last mile.

Forget self-help stuff. It is really just basics; fix your sleep, health, sex, community you live in...

For programming I follow simple TDD routine (and other simple best practices). And I do not do anything else at computer except making money. Today is an exception, I have 2 hours a week for facebook and news ;-)

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