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Downtime is an effortless way to improve your memory (2018)

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Re: Downtime is an effortless way to improve your memory (2018)

#21

Post by sargram01 »

anonytrary wrote: post #16

Silicon Valley is backwards in this regard. There's this mentality of always being busy; I can't help but feel it is a ruse for extroverts to flash their social proof at each other. In Silicon Valley, people always want to seem busier than they actually are, and people who are not busy are seen as inferior. The next time someone asks if you're working on a side project, say "no". Carefully notice how their interest q…

Yeah exactly, I think a small percentage of people do and they lead the innovation. The overwhelming majority don’t understand even the most basic reasoning behind almost anything since they never rest and reflect on what they’re doing, but follow the buzz as a career path — which works to a degree better than if they were coming up with their own ideas at least.

I have a client that I tell folks frequently they need to rest and reflect in order to improve their leverage and understanding how to better manage their growth, since they’re just exhausted and do stupid stuff all the time as a result. So the simplest observations I offer they think I’m a genius for.

Re: Downtime is an effortless way to improve your memory (2018)

#22

Post by varrock »

porknubbins wrote: post #15
qwertox wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's funny you mention this, I've been thinking about this lately. I make a 1.1 hour sporty bike ride every day and listen to podcasts while doing so, but I'm often asking myself if I should just not do that and instead listen to myself. The same goes for falling asleep, where I used to listen to podcasts but they got replaced by YouTube videos which I just listen to. I remember the time when I dealt with my thoughts…

I’ve never been able to “deal with my thoughts” and also get sleep so since I was able to read I consume fiction before bed to wipe the mental slate clean. Before it was books, now mostly audiobooks or occasionally music so I can keep it dark for my wife. If I can’t do this its usually 1-3 hrs of brain processing worries from the day, next day etc. There must be others like me who can’t just turn off instantly.

You're not alone. Sometimes my day continues in bed. I'll even think of things I need to do the next day, turn over to my phone, and write it down so I don't forget.

I, too, need something to distract me in order to really wind down.

Re: Downtime is an effortless way to improve your memory (2018)

#23

Post by rb808 »

qwertox wrote: post #4
ThouYS wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's also the one interesting argument against podcasts. That they take the last remaining moments of doing nothing (vacuuming, doing the dishes, commuting,...) Especially interesting since one of the most popular podcasts is also run by a very reflected meditation proponent (Sam Harris).

It's funny you mention this, I've been thinking about this lately. I make a 1.1 hour sporty bike ride every day and listen to podcasts while doing so, but I'm often asking myself if I should just not do that and instead listen to myself. The same goes for falling asleep, where I used to listen to podcasts but they got replaced by YouTube videos which I just listen to. I remember the time when I dealt with my thoughts…

I'd think you'd be better off listening for trucks. :)

Re: Downtime is an effortless way to improve your memory (2018)

#24

Post by fyfy18 »

jklinger410 wrote: post #18

Using this to excuse my 6+ hour Cities Skylines binge on a Sunday.

Have there been any studies on the effects of stress by playing computer games? Maybe it's the type of games I play, but I often find I feel more stressed after playing computer games.

Re: Downtime is an effortless way to improve your memory (2018)

#25

Post by flyGuyOnTheSly »

amiga_500 wrote: post #9
flyGuyOnTheSly wrote: post #6

I find more and better solutions to problems without actively thinking about them in a 1 hour yoga class than I can actively trying to solve them all day at work. It's gotten to the point that I need to bring pen and paper with me into practice.

Do you find you have an epiphany if you don't think hard about it at all ? I find I wake to a solution the next day, having indicated to my subconscious that the question is important by thinking about it for a good while the prior day. I sadly don't have a way to simply delegate to my subconscious without this interim step.

Try meditation.

I just closed my eyes in the tub a few minutes ago and BAM... another problem solved.

Removing stimulation (visually by closing your eyes) is an incredible way to fast track critical thinking.

Re: Downtime is an effortless way to improve your memory (2018)

#26

Post by blhack »

anonytrary wrote: post #16

Silicon Valley is backwards in this regard. There's this mentality of always being busy; I can't help but feel it is a ruse for extroverts to flash their social proof at each other. In Silicon Valley, people always want to seem busier than they actually are, and people who are not busy are seen as inferior. The next time someone asks if you're working on a side project, say "no". Carefully notice how their interest q…

So what do you do on the weekends?

Re: Downtime is an effortless way to improve your memory (2018)

#27

Post by andai »

deevolution wrote: post #17

"We don’t give them any specific instructions with regards to what they should or shouldn’t do while resting,” Dewar says. “But questionnaires completed at the end of our experiments suggest that most people simply let their minds wander In one study, for instance, participants were asked to imagine a past or future event during their break, which appeared to reduce their later recall of the newly learnt material. So…

It is possible none of the subjects were familiar with memory techniques. Though I expect the same results would hold: after performing the technique, take a break so the brain can transfer the encoding into long term storage.

Re: Downtime is an effortless way to improve your memory (2018)

#28

Post by FreezerburnV »

ThouYS wrote: post #3
DantesKite wrote: post #2

It's funny how this seems to be a form of meditation. It seems like an incredibly useful tool for the modern age. I wonder sometimes just how the brain manages to deal with the influx of all these new, abstract ideas on a daily basis. Doesn't seem like there's much time to digest it all. But if this works, if it really is an effective tool for learning, I could see it as a good way of bringing clarity into your life…

That's also the one interesting argument against podcasts. That they take the last remaining moments of doing nothing (vacuuming, doing the dishes, commuting,...) Especially interesting since one of the most popular podcasts is also run by a very reflected meditation proponent (Sam Harris).

Depends on the podcast maybe? The only ones I currently listen to are D&D podcasts so it’s not like I’m learning anything. It usually makes me want to do work on my own D&D campaign and be creative instead, if I’m not just enjoying listening to it.

Re: Downtime is an effortless way to improve your memory (2018)

#29

Post by developerdylan »

blhack wrote: post #26
anonytrary wrote: post #16

Silicon Valley is backwards in this regard. There's this mentality of always being busy; I can't help but feel it is a ruse for extroverts to flash their social proof at each other. In Silicon Valley, people always want to seem busier than they actually are, and people who are not busy are seen as inferior. The next time someone asks if you're working on a side project, say "no". Carefully notice how their interest q…

So what do you do on the weekends?

Watch television. Read good articles. Clean a little bit. Relax.

Re: Downtime is an effortless way to improve your memory (2018)

#30

Post by winrid »

fyfy18 wrote: post #24
jklinger410 wrote: post #18

Using this to excuse my 6+ hour Cities Skylines binge on a Sunday.

Have there been any studies on the effects of stress by playing computer games? Maybe it's the type of games I play, but I often find I feel more stressed after playing computer games.

I assume it's not far from work. I used to only play CSGO if I drank wine to help the stress. Usually a small glass every other night or so. I ended up trying all the wine in one rack at Safeway over a year...

+1 on it being the type of game.

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