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I have some interests, some of which are related to computer science, such as learning Haskell or working on a side project. These types of activities require a

by py4 4y ago

I have some interests, some of which are related to computer science, such as learning Haskell or working on a side project. These types of activities require a lot of mental energy and it can be difficult for me to have the energy to work on them after spending 8 hours at my job. I'm curious to know how other people manage to do it. Other interests I have, like learning to play the piano, require less mental energy. But to be honest, after spending 8 hours at work, I often find myself doing very passive activities like watching YouTube or scrolling through HN and bookmarking things without actually reading them. I don't want to be like this, but I don't know how to change.

malux85 4y ago
You have to rest, learn to nap (it’s a skill) I work 4AM to 12 noon every day, then nap 2 hours, then work 2Pm to 6 pm on side projects. 6 to 7 Pm physical exercise, then sleep Without that 2 hour nap I cannot do anything I’m too tired, you need to rest after work. No children, no other commitments (I’m married but my partner finds my drive attractive, which is why I selected him) I understand this might not be possible for people with more commitments
- py4 4y ago
  Any pointers regarding learning to nap?
  - malux85 4y ago
    For me the difficulty was switching my brain off. I tried breathing exercises, and meditation, but I couldn’t get them to work (maybe I was doing them wrong) The thing that worked for me in the end was a static mental imagery, I was listening to a YouTube video and it said to imagine yourself on a lake, in a boat, looking at the sky, with no thoughts - this particular image didn’t work for me, but then they suggested imagine yourself in a dark room in a hammock - this image worked for me, and I was able to silence my mind and sleep quickly After about 20 days of doing this, some kind of Pavlovian conditioning happened where my body understands that bed + this image means sleep now

by py4 4y ago

malux85 4y ago

You have to rest, learn to nap (it’s a skill) I work 4AM to 12 noon every day, then nap 2 hours, then work 2Pm to 6 pm on side projects. 6 to 7 Pm physical exercise, then sleep Without that 2 hour nap I cannot do anything I’m too tired, you need to rest after work. No children, no other commitments (I’m married but my partner finds my drive attractive, which is why I selected him) I understand this might not be possible for people with more commitments

py4 4y ago
Any pointers regarding learning to nap?
- malux85 4y ago
  For me the difficulty was switching my brain off. I tried breathing exercises, and meditation, but I couldn’t get them to work (maybe I was doing them wrong) The thing that worked for me in the end was a static mental imagery, I was listening to a YouTube video and it said to imagine yourself on a lake, in a boat, looking at the sky, with no thoughts - this particular image didn’t work for me, but then they suggested imagine yourself in a dark room in a hammock - this image worked for me, and I was able to silence my mind and sleep quickly After about 20 days of doing this, some kind of Pavlovian conditioning happened where my body understands that bed + this image means sleep now