Yes, exactly. I do all of this, but I still miss that super focus of reading a whole book in a day or the feeling of just being able to literally learn anything I want but I can't deal with how it makes me feel like a robot (the medication) and the "come down" effects.
Through meditation, cutting out weed, exercise, yoga, etc. I'm functioning very well, but even with this, sitting down and absorbing more complex tasks is still difficult.
I will increase the intensity of the workouts and meditation.
Now, if meditation is exercise for the mind, does reading do the same? By reading more can you improve your general intelligence and intention span even if what you're reading isn't related?
Reading is important, but... maybe you're not reading what you "should" be. No different than here, I scan and only read what interests me, I sometimes enjoy comments prior to what was posted, if comments seem worthwhile or entertaining I will read article.
No one way will be a correction of behavior as this is usually a habit.
Do what satisfies you. Most medicated people are drugged to be easier on everyone else in teachers, parents etc. I find it a impossible task to learn something I could careless about, I don't enjoy wasting my time.
You be you!
When you want to run a marathon, you dont just stand up and practice run the whole thing right off the bat. You practice day by day to increase your stamina and length of your run.
Media and our 24/7 culture has literally been training your brain not to focus well; did you hear that notification ping? Look at it, oh by the way here's some music from an ad to get stuck in your head, is that work calling asking me to solve a quick problem off hours? The list goes on.
Treat a book like a marathon. Start timing your reading/focus. Deliberately practice, with minimal distractions or stimulation from your surroundings. (Turn phone off for a few mins, etc). Start with 1 minute. If your mind drifts, gently bring it back. Keep doing this until you have stayed focused for the whole minute, then increase time. Re-train those neural pathways just like you would your body. The brain is plastic. If you get super frustrated, walk away and try again the next day. You got this :)
That's a great idea, I just wish I knew exactly how the brain functions. In the sense that, you exercise the body, the effects are evident but with your mind it isn't so simple.
Outside of improving attention span while reading and the obvious knowledge one gets. What are the cognitive benefits of reading?
For example, maybe it improves memory.
Also, any way you know to "gauge" if your mind is getting stronger?
Physical exercise vs mental is a little nicer in that regard as it's easier to quantify/be aware of your progress.
That's fair, it is nice to be able to "see" results.
I think reading can be akin to meditation and improve focus - letting the body relax, checking out from the world a bit, and funneling attention into a story; if fiction, perhaps your creative side can light up a bit too.
One way to gauge progress might be getting to a point where you dont feel a strong pull of distractions or other things around you and can really enjoy or soak in what you read.
On another note, if you want to play with biofeedback, check out the Muse headband. It senses your brainwaves and gets louder when you are not concentrating, and softer when you are relaxed and focused. It comes with an app and such. I thought it was pretty fun to play with!
Try Archipelag GULAG. I read through in two days 'cause I could not put it down.
You mean 'Gulag Archipelago', nigger?
That's English. It actually sounds better the Russian way and makes more sense. https://grumblr.me/archipelag-gulag-15/
or just niggapelago for short
As an ADHD guy as well, I find that writing lists of daily/weekly goals helps organize my mind around what I need to do and ensures I won't forget shit as I do things throughout the day. Also setting up and following a routine can help structure your time. Make sure to have some time off as well. You need unstructured "play" time.
sitting down and absorbing more complex tasks is still difficult.
That's something everyone has to deal with, men more so than women. Take breaks during study time. Have some good classical music on. Set a goal. You don't have to do nothing during the breaks either, spend that time doing something physical though. Do the dishes, run the vacuum, take out the trash, chase the dog around.
If you need to and can afford to do so, set aside and area/room for study only. No playing, no fucking around, no toys. Visually cut the area off if it isn't a room by itself. The room can be decorated but don't make the decorations distracting. When you can't study, after putting in a good effort get out of the area and find something else to do. All this to train your brain into expecting to study once you enter the area.
And do all the usual stuff, eat right(1), work out(2), get outside for any reason(3), sleep right(4), don't do drugs, etc.
White? Meat/fat, veggies, dairy, low carbs/sugar, real food stay away from processed/boxed shit with added HFCS and other adulterants. Save a day a week for something you like though, like a pizza night or something. Learn to cook. This saves time/money and ensures you get high quality food.
45min/day minimum, get your weights and cardio in on alternating days if you want. It doesn't take much, especially if you are already watching what you eat.
Walk the dog, mow the lawn, trim the tree/bush, just walk around. The point is to spend time in the sun and around plants/animals if at all possible. This is a studied phenomenon (back when studies were real) that I have personally done a paper on and you will see improvements if you don't already get outside.
Assuming no drugs/alc and that you are eating/exercising right, set a sleep schedule and stick to it. Don't consume caffeine at least 6 hours before bed time, don't consume food 4 hours ahead of bed time. If possible keep your sleeping room to sleeping only. Nothing distracting, nothing "busy" in it at all. Keep your phone outside the room, buy a physical alarm clock. And use the room to sleep. This sets your brain up to expect to fall asleep as soon as you enter the room. Try not to sleep in too much, and do not take naps during the day, this fucks with your circadian rhythm.
Thanks for the reply, I agree with everything you've said. My next purchase is going to be black out blinds.
Those feelings you miss aren’t the feelings of a normal functioning human. They’re the feelings of being on drugs.
Normal humans feel uncomfortable and tired and unfocused part of the time, it’s part of the human condition, and it’s why it’s so easy to diagnose just about anyone with some kind of disorder.
Dude we are not designed to read an entire book in a day. I look at people like that the Asians that studied 6 to 8 hours a day as having problems...
What helps is have a list of what needs to get done or what you want to get done. From most important to least. Then just knock stuff off the list if one thing gets boring do something else. But the list will get done every know and then force your self to do the top of the list the important stuff.
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