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Personally I find when I run into an intractable problem, what works for me is to exercise. For me that is riding my bike on quite paths. It sets my mind free a

Personally I find when I run into an intractable problem, what works for me is to exercise. For me that is riding my bike on quite paths. It sets my mind free and increases blood flow. Fertile ground for solving problems.

alsetmusic 10y ago
I second the exercise approach, as I used to solve tough problems over quiet twenty minute rides on back streets with low traffic. But the more I've learned (thus the more complex the block), the less effective this became. I worked on a passion project a few years ago where I was coding between twelve and sixteen hours a day for several months. When I was finally so burned out and weary that nothing worked anymore, I took that as a cue to call it a night. The next morning, almost without fail, I had an elegant solution in mind before I could even make it from bed to keyboard. My subconscious definitely IS the ultimate problem solver. The form that it takes has evolved with the difficulty of the challenges it has to solve.
- BatFastard 10y ago
  I tend to be more tortured by my dreams of coding, I toss the idea around in my head, but rarely come out with a solution. Any idea's on how to better utilize my dream state?
  - throwanem 10y ago
    Is it possible what you're seeing is driven by anxiety? Anecdotal, but I have noticed an inverse correlation between how likely I am to intuit a solution, and how much time I spend consciously ruminating on and worrying about the problem.
    - BatFastard 10y ago
      Indeed it is Anxiety. Happens mostly when I am on a deadline with more things to solve then I have time to do. Maybe if I practice meditation, it will help me let go of anxiety before sleep, which will help me sleep better and make my dreams more productive.
  - glormph 10y ago
    I get that too, but only when I code to close to bedtime and can't let go of the problem.
- dualogy 10y ago
  > The next morning, almost without fail, I had an elegant solution in mind So many here (and I and folks I know) had this experience that it might be productive to schedule 1 or 2 naps into such long work days. Could very well enhance the total daily outcome of the 12-16 hour day and nights will be proportionately shorter more or less. Will try.
ashleypt 10y ago
also has many great long term benefits https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neurobiological_effects_of_physical_exercise https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neurobiological_effects_of_phy... have you tried meditation too? exercise works great for me but it can also make me tense if I overdo it. meditation has many additional benefits particularly for this sort of subconscious delegation and helps to wind down after exercise (reduces cortisol, which exercise increases)
- BatFastard 10y ago
  I practiced Qigong for years, but let it fall away from me when life got really hectic with work and kids. Really need to get back on some form of meditation.
cyphar 10y ago
I second this, but I prefer to go for jogs instead. Then again, I've recently started to enjoy exercise for itself and I feel that I'm much calmer in my head when jogging or walking than when I'm sitting still. So maybe its just a product of being calm so you can think about the problem in a less stressful environment. Maybe that's why so many people say that meditation helps. Personally I prefer exercise though.

alsetmusic 10y ago

I second the exercise approach, as I used to solve tough problems over quiet twenty minute rides on back streets with low traffic. But the more I've learned (thus the more complex the block), the less effective this became. I worked on a passion project a few years ago where I was coding between twelve and sixteen hours a day for several months. When I was finally so burned out and weary that nothing worked anymore, I took that as a cue to call it a night. The next morning, almost without fail, I had an elegant solution in mind before I could even make it from bed to keyboard. My subconscious definitely IS the ultimate problem solver. The form that it takes has evolved with the difficulty of the challenges it has to solve.

BatFastard 10y ago
I tend to be more tortured by my dreams of coding, I toss the idea around in my head, but rarely come out with a solution. Any idea's on how to better utilize my dream state?
- throwanem 10y ago
  Is it possible what you're seeing is driven by anxiety? Anecdotal, but I have noticed an inverse correlation between how likely I am to intuit a solution, and how much time I spend consciously ruminating on and worrying about the problem.
  - BatFastard 10y ago
    Indeed it is Anxiety. Happens mostly when I am on a deadline with more things to solve then I have time to do. Maybe if I practice meditation, it will help me let go of anxiety before sleep, which will help me sleep better and make my dreams more productive.
- glormph 10y ago
  I get that too, but only when I code to close to bedtime and can't let go of the problem.
dualogy 10y ago
> The next morning, almost without fail, I had an elegant solution in mind So many here (and I and folks I know) had this experience that it might be productive to schedule 1 or 2 naps into such long work days. Could very well enhance the total daily outcome of the 12-16 hour day and nights will be proportionately shorter more or less. Will try.

ashleypt 10y ago

also has many great long term benefits https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neurobiological_effects_of_physical_exercise https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neurobiological_effects_of_phy... have you tried meditation too? exercise works great for me but it can also make me tense if I overdo it. meditation has many additional benefits particularly for this sort of subconscious delegation and helps to wind down after exercise (reduces cortisol, which exercise increases)

BatFastard 10y ago
I practiced Qigong for years, but let it fall away from me when life got really hectic with work and kids. Really need to get back on some form of meditation.

cyphar 10y ago

I second this, but I prefer to go for jogs instead. Then again, I've recently started to enjoy exercise for itself and I feel that I'm much calmer in my head when jogging or walking than when I'm sitting still. So maybe its just a product of being calm so you can think about the problem in a less stressful environment. Maybe that's why so many people say that meditation helps. Personally I prefer exercise though.