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I don't. I think it is extremely unhealthy and unproductive to stay awake and work for such long periods of time.

by st3fan 18y ago

mechanical_fish 18y ago
That's right. The correct technique for pulling an all-nighter is to realize that you're making a terrible mistake and not to do it anymore. Your brain really doesn't work very well without sleep. You may learn to pretend that it does, but that's not helpful. Having said that, back when I didn't understand this I did figure out that it was a waste of time to stay up literally all night. At 3am or 4am you should go to sleep for two or three hours.
- pasbesoin 18y ago
  Actually, tiredness can attenuate some AD(H)D symptoms. I sometimes used to procrastinate until the last minute, then put in an incredibly productive night/morning to wrap up a project. And I cranked out some pretty good stuff. But, I was young, then, and those projects were relatively limited in scope. I didn't know at the time that ADD existed; this was just the way I'd found to get such things done. (And I hated all the fear and dread it put me through.) So, it may not be an optimal approach, but in some circumstances, the all-nighter can perhaps be enabling.
  - Shamiq 18y ago
    I'm not sure if it's the tiredness. The impending deadlines push me into overdrive, which I use to finish work. But if an all-nighter is truly the only option, then 20 minute naps every 2-3 hours works well combined with a cup of coffee. Method: Drink a cup of coffee, immediately nap for 20 minutes, wake up and work for 2-3 hours. Rinse and repeat.
    - helveticaman 18y ago
      I agree. It's probably not the tiredness, it's the "Oh shit" feeling that gets you going.
    - pasbesoin 18y ago
      I don't have a reference at hand, but I recall reading somewhere that the tiredness attenuates some of the distractibility. Perhaps the mind is a bit less "agile"; it therefore foregos so readily jumping from topic to topic. There is the counterpoint of hyperfocus. Something that is intensely interesting -- whether due to the topic itself or consuming pressure to get it done (NOW!) -- also lessens distractibility.
      - pasbesoin 18y ago
        This would seem to argue the contrary, and I'm not finding an online reference to what I seemed to recall in my previous comment. http://www.physorg.com/news93623459.html http://www.physorg.com/news93623459.html So, take my comment with a good grain of salt. If I find a relevant reference, I'll follow up.

I don't. I think it is extremely unhealthy and unproductive to stay awake and work for such long periods of time.

by st3fan 18y ago

I don't. I think it is extremely unhealthy and unproductive to stay awake and work for such long periods of time.

That's right. The correct technique for pulling an all-nighter is to realize that you're making a terrible mistake and not to do it anymore. Your brain really doesn't work very well without sleep. You may learn to pretend that it does, but that's not helpful. Having said that, back when I didn't understand this I did figure out that it was a waste of time to stay up literally all night. At 3am or 4am you should go to sleep for two or three hours.

pasbesoin 18y ago
Actually, tiredness can attenuate some AD(H)D symptoms. I sometimes used to procrastinate until the last minute, then put in an incredibly productive night/morning to wrap up a project. And I cranked out some pretty good stuff. But, I was young, then, and those projects were relatively limited in scope. I didn't know at the time that ADD existed; this was just the way I'd found to get such things done. (And I hated all the fear and dread it put me through.) So, it may not be an optimal approach, but in some circumstances, the all-nighter can perhaps be enabling.
- Shamiq 18y ago
  I'm not sure if it's the tiredness. The impending deadlines push me into overdrive, which I use to finish work. But if an all-nighter is truly the only option, then 20 minute naps every 2-3 hours works well combined with a cup of coffee. Method: Drink a cup of coffee, immediately nap for 20 minutes, wake up and work for 2-3 hours. Rinse and repeat.
  - helveticaman 18y ago
    I agree. It's probably not the tiredness, it's the "Oh shit" feeling that gets you going.
  - pasbesoin 18y ago
    I don't have a reference at hand, but I recall reading somewhere that the tiredness attenuates some of the distractibility. Perhaps the mind is a bit less "agile"; it therefore foregos so readily jumping from topic to topic. There is the counterpoint of hyperfocus. Something that is intensely interesting -- whether due to the topic itself or consuming pressure to get it done (NOW!) -- also lessens distractibility.
    - pasbesoin 18y ago
      This would seem to argue the contrary, and I'm not finding an online reference to what I seemed to recall in my previous comment. http://www.physorg.com/news93623459.html http://www.physorg.com/news93623459.html So, take my comment with a good grain of salt. If I find a relevant reference, I'll follow up.