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Have another, totally unrelated to coding (or even computer) passion nearby to your work desk that you can go to in order to reboot your brain from time to time

Have another, totally unrelated to coding (or even computer) passion nearby to your work desk that you can go to in order to reboot your brain from time to time. I have my collection of guitars behind my work desk, and every time I am waiting for a download or process to run, I force myself to NOT just open another browser tab for Facebook/Youtube or revisit my emails and instead reach for an instrument and take my brain to another place for a short while by playing something or practicing some scales/modes. I also do this when I start feeling overwhelmed with to-do tasks or debugging tricky code. Forcing my brain to think about something completely different and then coming back prevents burnout for me and makes me come back to problems with a different mindset. Never mind if it is a musical instrument, your cat, card tricks, painting - whatever. Take a mental break.

puzzles 10y ago
Great advice. I started building quadcopters recently, and it's been great to combine technology with 'manual labor'. I've never been into DIY stuff before, but it's tons of fun!
- markatkinson 10y ago
  That sounds awesome. I started indoor climbing... nothing like coming back to your keyboard and you can't feel your fingers. Although this doesn't really work for a quick 15 minute break, and only if there is a climbing gym/wall nearby. Otherwise Ukulele!
- roryisok 10y ago
  I really want to do that. My soldering / electronics skills are non existent though. I build lego
singingfish 10y ago
At one point I was picking up my soprano sax during test runs on a regular basis. Doesn't work so well in an open plan office mind you :)
- notalaser 10y ago
  Nothing works very well in an open plan office :-).
- cyberferret 10y ago
  LOL - this is one of the benefits of working remotely from home that I have, I guess... When really frustrated, I can crank the amp to 11... Bonus is that during the working day, most of my neighbours are out at work/school, so nil complaints... ;)

puzzles 10y ago

Great advice. I started building quadcopters recently, and it's been great to combine technology with 'manual labor'. I've never been into DIY stuff before, but it's tons of fun!

markatkinson 10y ago
That sounds awesome. I started indoor climbing... nothing like coming back to your keyboard and you can't feel your fingers. Although this doesn't really work for a quick 15 minute break, and only if there is a climbing gym/wall nearby. Otherwise Ukulele!
roryisok 10y ago
I really want to do that. My soldering / electronics skills are non existent though. I build lego

singingfish 10y ago

At one point I was picking up my soprano sax during test runs on a regular basis. Doesn't work so well in an open plan office mind you :)

notalaser 10y ago
Nothing works very well in an open plan office :-).
cyberferret 10y ago
LOL - this is one of the benefits of working remotely from home that I have, I guess... When really frustrated, I can crank the amp to 11... Bonus is that during the working day, most of my neighbours are out at work/school, so nil complaints... ;)