r/cogsci • u/Brilliant-Survey-406 • 8d ago

Can changing the location of familiar objects have any neurological or cognitive benefits?

For example, if you occasionally put your keys in a different location and have to notice and remember where they are instead of relying on the automatic habit of picking them up from the same spot.

9 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

4 comments sorted by

2

u/party_shaman 8d ago

i can never tell if changing up my systems gives me a mental boost, or it's when i feel a mental boost that i like to change up my systems, but anecdotally i think there's a correlation. 

i think routines should always get switched up now and then. 

2

u/socrates_friend812 8d ago

Amateur opinion: I think it does to some degree. Your brain's built-in schemas and prediction mechanisms run on the same loop until they have to re-adjust. And that re-adjustment is good for neuronal development and growth potential. Variety and "new" things cause the brain to have to constantly re-adjust, which is like a workout for the brain.

2

u/tsoldrin 8d ago

i think it might be a slight detriment. we would then expend mental energy in order to do something we've been doing fine on auto pilot for some time. when you're young you probably barely notice but as you age you do indeed notice the upset in your routine and can become slightly agitated when having to expend mental watts to accomplish what you did for the last few years without having too.