A Wandering Mind Is an Unhappy Mind (2010) [pdf] • Hacker News Board

Re: A Wandering Mind Is an Unhappy Mind (2010) [pdf]

#11

Post by rangibaby » Tue, Apr 10, 2018, 1:55 AM UTC

Arbalest wrote: post #8

Apocryphon wrote: post #7

When I'm very sleep-deprived, I tend to be better able to focus on the present, and not worry about ambient anxiety-causing topics. My mind has less resources to wander as much as usual. Between that anecdotal experience, and previous stories about sleep deprivation as a treatment for depression, I wonder if there's something to be set about forcing your mind into a single-threaded mode, to avoid the usual distractin…

Makes me wonder if there's a methodology of using full energy for creativity, and lower energy for times when more discipline would usually be required. Of course then there is the discipline needed to not fall into distraction traps then. I've experienced sleep deprived productivity before, but I have found it is hit and miss too.

If I am doing something that requires craft or discipline I prefer to be well rested. When you are sleep deprived and productive remember that it is a high interest loan that you are going to have to pay back someday.

My best creativity is when riding my bike in a relaxing place, in the shower, or what I call the half-sleep trance just before falling asleep.

Re: A Wandering Mind Is an Unhappy Mind (2010) [pdf]

#12

Post by Apocryphon » Tue, Apr 10, 2018, 2:07 AM UTC

rangibaby wrote: post #11

Arbalest wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Makes me wonder if there's a methodology of using full energy for creativity, and lower energy for times when more discipline would usually be required. Of course then there is the discipline needed to not fall into distraction traps then. I've experienced sleep deprived productivity before, but I have found it is hit and miss too.

If I am doing something that requires craft or discipline I prefer to be well rested. When you are sleep deprived and productive remember that it is a high interest loan that you are going to have to pay back someday. My best creativity is when riding my bike in a relaxing place, in the shower, or what I call the half-sleep trance just before falling asleep.

I don't think productivity while fatigued is good at all. But I do think that when one is tired, it may be possible to be less anxious than usual, since one's mind doesn't get distracted by tangential worries as much as usual.

Re: A Wandering Mind Is an Unhappy Mind (2010) [pdf]

#13

Post by taurath » Tue, Apr 10, 2018, 2:10 AM UTC

Arbalest wrote: post #8

Apocryphon wrote: post #7

When I'm very sleep-deprived, I tend to be better able to focus on the present, and not worry about ambient anxiety-causing topics. My mind has less resources to wander as much as usual. Between that anecdotal experience, and previous stories about sleep deprivation as a treatment for depression, I wonder if there's something to be set about forcing your mind into a single-threaded mode, to avoid the usual distractin…

Makes me wonder if there's a methodology of using full energy for creativity, and lower energy for times when more discipline would usually be required. Of course then there is the discipline needed to not fall into distraction traps then. I've experienced sleep deprived productivity before, but I have found it is hit and miss too.

Think of it this way, you probably have a lot more energy to use willpower to keep yourself focused when you are rested vs not. When you are so tired you’re physically incapable of focusing on anything else flow can also work, but sometimes the arrow is aimed wrong

Re: A Wandering Mind Is an Unhappy Mind (2010) [pdf]

#14

Post by keyle » Tue, Apr 10, 2018, 2:47 AM UTC

Apocryphon wrote: post #7

When I'm very sleep-deprived, I tend to be better able to focus on the present, and not worry about ambient anxiety-causing topics. My mind has less resources to wander as much as usual. Between that anecdotal experience, and previous stories about sleep deprivation as a treatment for depression, I wonder if there's something to be set about forcing your mind into a single-threaded mode, to avoid the usual distractin…

Functioning sleep deprive may feel like you're better at focusing on the present. But I believe that it's your inability to give a crap that helps the most and removes the second-guessing and mind wandering; a similar state of mind can be achieved by physical exhaustion, whether it's at the gym or from a run or a swim. Try that, it's far better than being sleep deprived.

Re: A Wandering Mind Is an Unhappy Mind (2010) [pdf]

#15

Post by throwaway437998 » Tue, Apr 10, 2018, 3:38 AM UTC

I for one have an issue that only came to light after being in a relationship and have struggled with having to think about the facts of reality. Usually fine most days, but some dumb thing will connect the memory chain (like this HN post ironically) and down the spiral I go. It's the wandering that really does lead me astray.

Re: A Wandering Mind Is an Unhappy Mind (2010) [pdf]

#16

Post by ycombinete » Tue, Apr 10, 2018, 3:53 AM UTC

throwaway437998 wrote: post #15

I for one have an issue that only came to light after being in a relationship and have struggled with having to think about the facts of reality. Usually fine most days, but some dumb thing will connect the memory chain (like this HN post ironically) and down the spiral I go. It's the wandering that really does lead me astray.

A shot in the dark here, but is it Retroactive Jealousy?

Re: A Wandering Mind Is an Unhappy Mind (2010) [pdf]

#17

Post by throwaway437998 » Tue, Apr 10, 2018, 4:36 AM UTC

ycombinete wrote: post #16

throwaway437998 wrote: post #15

I for one have an issue that only came to light after being in a relationship and have struggled with having to think about the facts of reality. Usually fine most days, but some dumb thing will connect the memory chain (like this HN post ironically) and down the spiral I go. It's the wandering that really does lead me astray.

A shot in the dark here, but is it Retroactive Jealousy?

That is correct. To give insight as to why it seems a little too close to hopeless, I feel the only solutions physically possible are just twisting words to make it seem okay but the hard facts remain at the end of the day. I say this maybe preemptively to your response, but I say it respectfully (or rather with no intension to disrespect your response) and, for my own health, wish to be proven wrong.

For me in the end, it's those realities that come pay me a visit when the mind wanders. To add to it, I use to relish the fun and imagination a wandering mind brought to my day. Now it's nothing more than a pain point.

Re: A Wandering Mind Is an Unhappy Mind (2010) [pdf]

#18

Post by fjsolwmv » Tue, Apr 10, 2018, 5:02 AM UTC

Apocryphon wrote: post #12

rangibaby wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If I am doing something that requires craft or discipline I prefer to be well rested. When you are sleep deprived and productive remember that it is a high interest loan that you are going to have to pay back someday. My best creativity is when riding my bike in a relaxing place, in the shower, or what I call the half-sleep trance just before falling asleep.

I don't think productivity while fatigued is good at all. But I do think that when one is tired, it may be possible to be less anxious than usual, since one's mind doesn't get distracted by tangential worries as much as usual.

Yes, but tired from exercise is different from tired from sleep deprivation.

Re: A Wandering Mind Is an Unhappy Mind (2010) [pdf]

#19

Post by fjsolwmv » Tue, Apr 10, 2018, 5:03 AM UTC

whateveracct wrote: post #9

Apocryphon wrote: post #7

When I'm very sleep-deprived, I tend to be better able to focus on the present, and not worry about ambient anxiety-causing topics. My mind has less resources to wander as much as usual. Between that anecdotal experience, and previous stories about sleep deprivation as a treatment for depression, I wonder if there's something to be set about forcing your mind into a single-threaded mode, to avoid the usual distractin…

I think I saw something about sleep deprivation has been shown to temporarily greatly relieve symptoms of depression for a day to a week or so. Chronic sleep deprivation has the opposite effect though, so it isn't the most practical.

Out of the symptoms of depression is excessive sleep which messes up your bodies biochemical rhythms, so sleeping less can help with that

Re: A Wandering Mind Is an Unhappy Mind (2010) [pdf]

#20

Post by fjsolwmv » Tue, Apr 10, 2018, 5:07 AM UTC

ycombinete wrote: post #16

throwaway437998 wrote: post #15

I for one have an issue that only came to light after being in a relationship and have struggled with having to think about the facts of reality. Usually fine most days, but some dumb thing will connect the memory chain (like this HN post ironically) and down the spiral I go. It's the wandering that really does lead me astray.

A shot in the dark here, but is it Retroactive Jealousy?

Heh, that's a recently invented term for an old phenomen. When was that coined?

Fwiw, I think it's a form of bitter competitiveness. It is reduced by having more diverse sexual experience and by one's partner not dwelling on their past and showing they treat you better than they treated their ex.