Sleep and Learning
June 26, 2007 by Greg
Usually I tell people about how the eggs I attempted to fry in the microwave exploded or about how Cash and I hijacked a church bus after leaving a liquor tasting. In addition to the aforementioned fun, I’ve also been spending my time reading technical material. Usually I avoid this topic because, well, linux isn’t necessarily the preferred antidote for a stalling conversation.
However, while reading heavily, I’ve made a few observations. I’ve noticed that after 30-45 minutes of technical reading, I get a strong urge to sleep. Usually, I move around, have a glass of water, do something else for a bit, then get back to reading. Inevitably after a couple hours, I take a nap waking up refreshed.
I feel as if the sleep has defragmented my brain. That in sleep my mind is rearranging and storing facts in the appropriate places. Apparently I am not alone in this theory.
Popular sayings such as “sleep on it” or “consult the pillow” reflect the notion that remolded memories produce new creative associations in the morning, and that often performance improves after a time-interval that included sleep. Many studies demonstrate that a healthy sleep produces a significant learning dependent performance boost.
This has lead me to start experimenting with a new learning routine focused on increased attention span and memory retention. I am currently experimenting with cycles of meditation and napping, between, before, and after study periods. I’ll keep you posted as I work out my system, but currently I’m experimenting with this cycle:
- 10 minute preparation meditation
- 30 minute study
- 15 minute nap
- 30 minute study
- 10 minute conclusion meditation
My hypothesis is that with repition not only will retention increase but attention span should increase as well.
That’s awesome man. Keep us posted. My favorite line from this: “Usually I avoid this topic because, well, linux isn’t necessarily the preferred antidote for a stalling conversation.”
waaay too many programming problems in college and work where if i’m stumped by something i’ll go home, fall asleep lightly thinking about the problem and wake up in the middle of the night or the next morning knowing the answer after one insightful dream. and wondering why the hell i was wracking my brains out like nuts for so long over such an easy task. haven’t ever tried to focus it in such a manner that you’re talking sounds cool, certainly.
Greg,
One of my professors in grad school taught me the best studying trick ever. She’s trained as a neurologist/psychiatrist and when she was in medical school was having trouble studying (as so many of us do). HER neurology instructor taught her to study / read for 20 minutes, then take a 10 minute break, cup of coffee, phone call, snack etc., then back to studying for 20 minutes. I tried it and had great success. It really works. The studies have shown that the mind can focus most effectively in 20 minute spurts, then fades, but after a 10 minute break is sufficiently charged back up. So, my suggestion, via a loooong line of scientists, is to try the 20/10/20/10 etc. study method. You’ll see it works and will thank me profusely, or at least throw money and liquor my way!
Hey Steve,
Right on. I like the 20/10 combo. One thing I’ve found from the 48/12 combo is that it really mattered what i did in those 12 minute break periods. If i just checked my email or read my aggregator, I felt like I didn’t break at all and wasn’t ready to jump back in…