What are the best strategies to optimize Minecraft settings to improve stability and performance for a long-term survival challenge?

Optimizing settings involves reducing render distance (e.g., to 8-12 chunks), setting graphics to 'Fast', turning off Fancy Leaves, Clouds, and Smooth Lighting, and disabling V-Sync if screen tearing isn't an issue. Allocating more RAM to Minecraft (e.g., 4-8 GB, depending on total system RAM and mod usage) via the launcher's Java arguments is also critical. Installing performance-enhancing mods like OptiFine or Sodium/Lithium/Phosphor can drastically improve performance.