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Ask HN: Any scientifically proven techniques to boost concentration?

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Re: Ask HN: Any scientifically proven techniques to boost concentration?

#121

Post by csomar »

gyulai wrote: post #109

Video game music is actually designed to increase your ability to concentrate on the game. I highly recommend listening to some as you're coding. You can get it at Bandcamp [1,2]. Trance music also works, especially Goa Trance. Binaural beats [3,4] are also worth a try. [1] https://bandcamp.com/tag/video-game [2] https://bandcamp.com/tag/video-game-music [3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beat_(acoustics)#Binaural_bea…

That might make some sense. I've been running Cyberpunk 2077 playlist when starting coding sessions. Kind of get me in the mood to start fighting. It might have helped that these audio clips have been mentally linked to real-life fighting. (in the game, of course).

Re: Ask HN: Any scientifically proven techniques to boost concentration?

#123

Post by anonyfox »

In my experience, the first step is to get the physical basics right (sleep, exercise, nutrition/hydration). This is already hard for most people, but can bring you to 100% of your theoretical mental performance as the baseline.

To go beyond that, a daily routine of 2x20min meditation is somewhat proven to increase your mental capabilities slowly over time.

Also background Music (like Trance or game soundtracks) have some instant effect, I personally have great results with Endel.io - highly recommend!

Re: Ask HN: Any scientifically proven techniques to boost concentration?

#125

Post by Broken_Hippo »

seer wrote: post #111

Fast. Like more than 48 hours water only. First of all it kinda puts you in this “survival” state where while not feeling hungry per say, you’re on high alert and can concentrate like crazy. And after you finish you feel rejuvenated and excited. Amazing experience and can’t recommend it enough. Done it several times already (4 days fasts) and still having the same initial effect. After listening through all of the sc…

Disclaimer:

Before going to a water fast, especially for a 2 whole days, talk to your doctor. Not everyone can fast, even for shorter times, and you might not know you are in that group. Ancedote: I have a friend that was hospitalized for doing a much shorter fast - daytime fast for religious reasons. As far as he knew, he was healthy enough for it and he was young at the time.

Re: Ask HN: Any scientifically proven techniques to boost concentration?

#126

Post by mlitwiniuk »

nabusman wrote: post #116
gyulai wrote: post #109

Video game music is actually designed to increase your ability to concentrate on the game. I highly recommend listening to some as you're coding. You can get it at Bandcamp [1,2]. Trance music also works, especially Goa Trance. Binaural beats [3,4] are also worth a try. [1] https://bandcamp.com/tag/video-game [2] https://bandcamp.com/tag/video-game-music [3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beat_(acoustics)#Binaural_bea…

Couldn't agree more, Goa trance/Goa psych is great for this. I usually throw on digitally imported [1] for listening and discovering new genres. My recent favorite is psydub and melodic house. [1] https://di.fm

And I thought I’m the only freak to listen to goa/psy trance while coding - I’m most likely to get in the flow while listening to it.

Re: Ask HN: Any scientifically proven techniques to boost concentration?

#129

Post by frereubu »

sizzle wrote: post #124

Amphetamines and other stimulants are huge cognitive boosters

Counterpoint: I have found that stimulants (caffeine is about as strong as I get these days) work for short periods of time, then become a net negative. Over the course of a week I'd get more done by having absolutely no stimulants, not even caffeine. Even for short-term work crunches they can be detrimental because they increase stress levels, which can lead to mental paralysis.

Re: Ask HN: Any scientifically proven techniques to boost concentration?

#130

Post by staticassertion »

k__ wrote: post #100
jmalicki wrote: post #7

Exercise (mostly I've seen more intense than walking, but cardio like running, cycling, rowing, etc. - I haven't come across much for resistance training like weightlifting) has been very well studied to improve cognitive ability, as well as mental health (depression/anxiety). Depending on what you mean by proven , it's not gravity, but it's pretty good evidence compared to just about anything in medicine (just look…

I also read creatine, while used mainly to improve gym perf, helps wirh cognitive ability too.

That's odd. Creatine stores are in muscles. I'm not saying it isn't the case, the body is weird as fuck, but I'd be interested in understanding how that's the case.
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