How to Improve Learning and Cognitive Abilities: Practical Insights from Energy-Efficiency Theory

Improving learning and cognitive abilities is not only a core concern in education and psychology but also an eternal pursuit of personal growth. Traditional learning theories offer empirical advice such as "practice more," "sleep more," and "think more," but they do not explain the physical principles behind these suggestions. Based on the first principles of Energy-Efficiency Theory (EET), this paper views learning as "the inverse-entropy transformation of free-state information into constrained-state knowledge" and memory as "the inertial inheritance of constrained-state energy texture." From this foundation, we derive five fundamental strategies for enhancing learning and cognitive abilities: (1) Increase inverse entropy rate—increase effective energy investment; (2) Enhance constraint barrier—through repetition, deep processing, and sleep consolidation; (3) Regulate Yang's Ben-Shi Sliding—maintain dynamic balance between exploration and consolidation; (4) Reduce cognitive load—minimize interference and optimize information input; (5) Manage energy budget—ensure energy reserves and maintain cognitive homeostasis. This paper provides actionable principles for personal learning and educational practice, mapping each strategy to EET core concepts, revealing that "learning well" is essentially "investing energy wisely." Specific methods, daily application examples, and quantitative target suggestions are included, suitable for learners, educators, and anyone seeking to enhance their cognitive abilities.