I occasionally just forget that I can change things about my environment. If my clothes are uncomfortable, I can change. If there are annoying sounds, I can wear earplugs.

[-]Gunnar_Zarncke9y30

For some context about when and what to change see Attempted Telekinesis.

[-]NancyLebovitz9y60

Relax when trying to remember something instead of making an effort.

[-]pepe_prime9y00

I disagree. Sure, research shows that memory formation is improved when you relax. If I want to remember a specific fact though, it helps me to mentally search for contextual clues around where I learned the fact.

Maybe I'm doing it wrong though - any research or convincing anecdotes on this?

[-]NancyLebovitz9y20

All I've got is personal experience. Sometimes relaxing is speeding up the process of "When I stopped thinking about it, it popped into my mind".

I search for contextual clues, and sometimes it works. However, if I'm stuck on some idea about what the right answer is, but that isn't working, relaxing can help.

[-]WalterL9y30

If your ears are doing the "pressure change thing", like if you are in an airplane:

Pinch closed your nose, close your mouth tight, and try to "blow". The air has nowhere to go and it will "pop" your ears. Makes flying much easier.

[-]DavidPlumpton9y10

I found a trick somewhere on the net for clearing a blocked nose (even very blocked). Hold your nose, inhale deeply, then repeat tipping your head back for four seconds, and then forward for four seconds. Breath out slowly. Then hold your breath as long as you can, still tipping forward and back every four seconds and holding your nose. Eventually you inhale and all the gunk just sort of flows out of your nasal cavity. Warning... much gagging, spluttering and spitting at this point. But it's worth it.

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Neutralizing Physical Annoyances

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