This is anecdotal, but I've found SRS to improve my general memory & recall as well (not just whatever I have flashcards for).
SRS = spaced repetition system
Ask HN: What lifestyle choices have led to improved cognitive function/memory?
11–20 of 106 posts
Re: Ask HN: What lifestyle choices have led to improved cognitive function/memory?
#12Quitting my job did wonders for me. After years of hard working it takes it's toll on the mind. This may or may not be an advisable plan though Sleep is incredibly important also. Earplugs and a face mask help with sleep in disrupting conditions.
Same. Quitting and working on my own small projects are such a joy.
Re: Ask HN: What lifestyle choices have led to improved cognitive function/memory?
#13For me: diet (vitamins, algae oil, a little creatine), sleep (tracked), exercise (HIIT), reading (non-fiction - help build your vocab/mental maps), dual-n-back.
There are other tricks that I have heard of like the 'memory palace' [1], or mindfulness meditation, but those I don't think really worked for me personally, YMMV.
Have always been interested in nootropics, but I'm a dot the i's cross the t's kind of person, so haven't had anything to do with those.
Re: Ask HN: What lifestyle choices have led to improved cognitive function/memory?
#14Along with a greater focus on my diet and exercise, I found deleting facebook off my phone certainly improved my focus throughout the day. I didn't realise how often I impulsively doom scrolled until I removed it.
Re: Ask HN: What lifestyle choices have led to improved cognitive function/memory?
#15For me: diet (vitamins, algae oil, a little creatine), sleep (tracked), exercise (HIIT), reading (non-fiction - help build your vocab/mental maps), dual-n-back. There are other tricks that I have heard of like the 'memory palace' [1], or mindfulness meditation, but those I don't think really worked for me personally, YMMV. Have always been interested in nootropics, but I'm a dot the i's cross the t's kind of person,…
The method of loci doesn't work really well for people who have aphantasia, which I believe is more common for software engineers than the general population.
Re: Ask HN: What lifestyle choices have led to improved cognitive function/memory?
#16For me: diet (vitamins, algae oil, a little creatine), sleep (tracked), exercise (HIIT), reading (non-fiction - help build your vocab/mental maps), dual-n-back. There are other tricks that I have heard of like the 'memory palace' [1], or mindfulness meditation, but those I don't think really worked for me personally, YMMV. Have always been interested in nootropics, but I'm a dot the i's cross the t's kind of person,…
The method of loci doesn't work really well for people who have aphantasia, which I believe is more common for software engineers than the general population.
I find that hard to believe.
Re: Ask HN: What lifestyle choices have led to improved cognitive function/memory?
#17Exercise, specifically following powerlifting programs. It makes me tired so I can sleep without stressing over what I need to accomplish work during the next day. It also makes me crave healthier food. It's a feedback loop, and it makes me sharper mentally. If I skip 1-2 days, I immediately notice the negative effects by the end of the week: cloudy thoughts, less motivation, etc. Powerlifting also gives me goals to…
Can you share what programs to look into to start powerlifting?
Re: Ask HN: What lifestyle choices have led to improved cognitive function/memory?
#18Completely removing all alcohol, coffee and tobacco consumption from my life.
I still consume caffeine and nicotine. I’ve found that my cognition is improved by them; in the case of nicotine, I might just as well have regular pauses from work, though.
Coffee and tobacco, however, contain a host of other psychoactives which tend to bring about an easily distracted, impulsive frame of mind.
So many impulse buys are connected to a craving for the bitter, MAO-inhibiting alkaloids in coffee and tobacco smoke… it’s good for the economy, but not for your bank roll.
Re: Ask HN: What lifestyle choices have led to improved cognitive function/memory?
#19Earlier quoted context omitted.
The method of loci doesn't work really well for people who have aphantasia, which I believe is more common for software engineers than the general population.
I find that hard to believe.
Which part do you find hard to believe? That people with aphantasia can have a hard time with the method of loci, or that aphantasia is more common for software engineers than in the general population?
Re: Ask HN: What lifestyle choices have led to improved cognitive function/memory?
#20Diet, 2-3 hour exercise daily (cardio I've found is best) and disabling notifications - I find that if I don't work out, I internet more and cell phone browse.
Also core friends and people to "hang out with" you'd be surprised how much you get sucked up by just the Internet and meta of it.
With the 2-3 hour of daily cardio and diet changes, most of my issues disappeared - inability to focus, irritability, fear of missing out and it helped analyze things in my life e.g. am I in the right place/environment?
Really makes you wonder.