Ask HN: How to relax after coding for too many hours?

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=12905261

by rsrsrs86 • 10 years ago

8 5 10 years ago

news.ycombinator.com

Hi, what do you do to relax and sleep after coding for many hours straight? I tend to get very agitated and can't sleep well.

ASpring• 10 years ago

Read easy genre fiction until you start nodding off into the book.

fratlas• 10 years ago

Strenuous exercise. Forces your brain to shift out of the coding context.

itamarst• 10 years ago

Coding for too many hours straight isn't actually very productive. Take more breaks while coding, and stop working after a decent number of hours: you'll do better at coding and you won't be as exhausted at the end.

See https://codewithoutrules.com/2016/08/18/productive-programme... for more.

tjalfi• 10 years ago

Take a walk, work out, or read fiction.

cauterized• 10 years ago

You probably haven't had enough physical exertion in your day to drain off your energy, and your brain interprets mental focus as a sign that there's something to be anxious about. Sure recipe for tons of nervous energy.

The suggestion to exercise to physical exhaustion is a good one. I usually don't have to go that far, though. Even walking a couple miles usually takes the edge off and gives the brain a chance to wander into other paths.

Doing something else that's almost entirely physically oriented can also help - a craft project, cooking, etc.

Ask HN: How to relax after coding for too many hours?

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