from Hacker News

Ask HN: Intelligence and the time of day

by glynjackson on 7/23/14, 2:43 PM with 7 comments

I'm aware that a lot of scientific individuals read HN. I would like to take this opportunity to ask for feedback/possible explanations relating to intelligence and the time of day.

I'm a developer, I seem to solve most of my problems first thing in the morning between 7am-10am. During the first 3-4 hours of the day I solve most of my problems, problems I couldn't decipher the night before. I have asked other developers if they experience the same issue and most concur.

Is this a real phenomenon? Is there a scientific explanation for this?

I would love to find a way to extend my morning problem solving skills to the rest of the day.

  • by dmurdoch on 7/23/14, 3:32 PM

    Do you eat breakfast? If so, how much? Do you then not eat lunch into 12-1 o'clock? It may have to do with diet as well as sleep. I find eating snacks throughout that time, and drinking a decent amount of water helps keep me in that zone for a while longer.

  • by bjones53 on 7/23/14, 3:21 PM

    Have you considered that your diet and exercise routines may have a greater impact on your cognitive abilities than sleep? Can you provide more information on your daily routine?

  • by drKarl on 7/23/14, 2:56 PM

    Have you tried a 15 minute power nap?