Ask HN: What is one thing that improved your cognitive skills the most? • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: What is one thing that improved your cognitive skills the most?

#51

Post by more_corn » Thu, Jan 19, 2023, 8:30 PM UTC

giantg2 wrote: post #46

yura wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Stop drinking alcohol, as said elsewhere. It takes about 2-3 weeks of sobriety to regain 80% of the capacity you lost. Capacity of what? And have you got any source on that?

It likely affects different people differently. Moderate alcohol consumption doesn't seem to have a long term cognitive affect for me. No difference in cognitive abilities if I had 2-3 drinks the night before or a few months before. I'd imagine heavy drinking has a different impact, but have much experience on that. Overall, it would likely be healthier to not drink.

Hangovers and negative cognitive effects of drinking increase dramatically as people age. I’m guessing you’re 30 or under.

I noticed a dramatic drop in my memory which I attribute to drinking. I stopped two years ago but I’m probably not back to where I would be if I hadn’t been drinking.

Re: Ask HN: What is one thing that improved your cognitive skills the most?

#52

Post by more_corn » Thu, Jan 19, 2023, 8:58 PM UTC

highwayman47 wrote: post #19

orange_fritter wrote: post #11

Hilariously my comment sounds like Radiohead's FITTER HAPPIER MORE PRODUCTIVE song but I swear I shot up 10 IQ points and work reputation by: Stop drinking alcohol, as said elsewhere. It takes about 2-3 weeks of sobriety to regain 80% of the capacity you lost. It's also extremely hard on your emotional regulation, work motivation, patience, and ability to concentrate long after you think you can't feel the effects. S…

it's impossible to fix sleep schedule when you want to make more money.

Most of my experiences with late nights have been due to: Watching Netflix Playing video games Drinking

I find that if I skip those things I can go to bed early enough to get 8 hours and still wake up early enough to get to work first thing in the morning. Your mileage may vary especially if you have kids

Re: Ask HN: What is one thing that improved your cognitive skills the most?

#53

Post by more_corn » Thu, Jan 19, 2023, 8:59 PM UTC

roflyear wrote: post #21

highwayman47 wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

it's impossible to fix sleep schedule when you want to make more money.

Or just if you're not somewhat privileged

You will be more productive if you get enough sleep. If your compensation is a function of your value you can afford to sleep.

Re: Ask HN: What is one thing that improved your cognitive skills the most?

#54

Post by more_corn » Thu, Jan 19, 2023, 9:30 PM UTC

Block time on your calendar for deep work. Eliminate interruptions during deep work time.

Learn the pattern of common logical fallacies. Practice finding them in yourself and your interlocutors.

Write down your thoughts. Writing things down forces you to structure them.

Talk to people you disagree with. Actively challenge your own assumptions and conclusions. When you lose an argument you gain knowledge. When you engage in an argument in good faith (allowing that you could be wrong) you test your assumptions and conclusions.