Okay, so today, I wanted to talk about something I’ve been messing around with lately – cognitive psychology. It’s all about how our brains work, and I thought it’d be cool to see if I could actually use some of this stuff in my everyday life.
First, I started by reading some articles online. Nothing too fancy, just some basic stuff about how memory works and how people learn. Then I ran into this book, “Cognitive Psychology: Connecting Mind, Research, and Everyday Experience” by this guy, E. Bruce Goldstein. It was a bit dense at times, but it had some good nuggets in there.
I decided to start with memory since that’s something I’ve always struggled with. I used to think of myself as a very forgetful person. One of the articles mentioned that talking to yourself can actually help you remember stuff, so I started doing that. Like, when I needed to remember to buy groceries, I’d just say it out loud a few times. Sounds silly, I know, but it actually helped!
- The first step: Reading online articles about memory.
- The second step: Reading the book written by E. Bruce Goldstein.
- The third step: Trying to say things out loud to help me remember them.
Then, I tried to apply some of the learning techniques from the book. The book talked about how our brains are “plastic,” meaning they can change and adapt. One idea was to try learning something new every day, even if it’s just a small thing. So, I started doing that. I’ve been using this language-learning app, and I make sure to do at least one lesson a day. I also started doing crossword puzzles to keep my mind active.
Another thing I tried was meditation. I read that it can help with focus and attention, which are obviously important for cognitive function. I downloaded a meditation app and started with just five minutes a day. Honestly, it was tough at first. My mind kept wandering, but I stuck with it. Now I’m up to 15 minutes, and I think it’s actually making a difference. I feel a bit more clear-headed and focused.
Results
So, is all of this actually working? It’s still early, but I think so. I’m definitely remembering things better, and I feel like I can concentrate for longer periods. And I’ve been noticing improvements in my daily life. For example, I’m getting better at the language I’m learning, and I’m not as easily distracted when I’m trying to work. It’s not a magic bullet or anything, but it’s been a fun experiment. And it’s cool to see how these little changes can actually make a difference in how my brain works.
I read an interesting article about the cognitive analysis of concept mapping processes. It talked about how experts and novices approach concept mapping differently. While I don’t do a lot of concept mapping in my daily life, it got me thinking about how I approach problem-solving in general. Now, I try to be more mindful of breaking down problems into smaller parts, just like a concept map. It seems to help me think things through more clearly.
I even touched on Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). It’s a type of therapy that helps people change negative thought patterns. I’m no therapist, but I found it interesting. It made me realize how much our thoughts affect our behavior. I’ve started to pay more attention to my own thoughts, especially when I’m feeling down or anxious. I try to challenge negative thoughts and replace them with more positive ones. It’s not always easy, but it’s something I’m working on.
It’s not like I’ve suddenly become a genius or anything, but I do feel like I’m making progress. Plus, it’s just been fun to learn more about how my brain works. I’m going to keep trying these things out and see where it takes me. Maybe I’ll do an update in a few months and let you know how it’s going.
I also started exercising more. I know it sounds unrelated, but I read that physical activity is good for brain health. So, I started going for a run a few times a week. It’s not always easy to motivate myself, but I always feel better afterward. And I think it’s helping me sleep better, which is also important for cognitive function. The exercise helps clear my head, and I feel like I can think more clearly after a good workout.
I’m not saying everyone should go out and become a cognitive psychology expert. But it’s definitely worth exploring some of these ideas and seeing if they can help you in your own life. Who knows, you might surprise yourself with what your brain can do!
