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I was a little surprised that simple exercise isn't on this list; besides the health benefits, I think it has really good psychological benefits to people who w

by bbctol 9y ago

I was a little surprised that simple exercise isn't on this list; besides the health benefits, I think it has really good psychological benefits to people who work in conceptual fields. If your workday is spent figuring out how to solve problems and working through annoying bugs, there's something very satisfying about doing a task that can only be done one way. If you want to be able to lift heavier things, all you can do is lift heavy things! I guess this list tended more towards "other ways to engage problem-solving," but I think it's healthy to sometimes do things you just have to push through.

nailer 9y ago
> I guess this list tended more towards "other ways to engage problem-solving," but I think it's healthy to sometimes do things you just have to push through. Exactly this. Every human needs a short period every day where they don't have to think too much. You can tune out deadlifting, staring at the black line doing laps in a pool, running or doing a dance routine or warm up you know..
photojosh 9y ago
As the sibling comment mentioned, running is a great one. I found being able to grab data using a GPS watch and heart-rate monitor to play with afterwards indulges the geek side nicely.
davidjnelson 9y ago
Access to pristine hiking trails is a huge deal in terms of quality of life. Not sure how to solve that one in the Bay Area though without being insanely rich and living in Woodside / Los Gatos / etc. Santa Cruz mountains maybe, but that's a long drive on a windy road to get to the South Bay, and way too far from Mountain View/Palo Alto/Menlo Park.
- EliRivers 9y ago
  Sideways related, Hong Kong island is in many ways a miserable place to live unless you're rich, but for the slightly middle class the footpaths over the hill are a very pleasant way to get out on your own in some nice scenery. I was surprised at how few people I ran into up there (although someone is going up regularly to maintain the tiny little shrines).

by bbctol 9y ago

nailer 9y ago

> I guess this list tended more towards "other ways to engage problem-solving," but I think it's healthy to sometimes do things you just have to push through. Exactly this. Every human needs a short period every day where they don't have to think too much. You can tune out deadlifting, staring at the black line doing laps in a pool, running or doing a dance routine or warm up you know..

photojosh 9y ago

As the sibling comment mentioned, running is a great one. I found being able to grab data using a GPS watch and heart-rate monitor to play with afterwards indulges the geek side nicely.

davidjnelson 9y ago

Access to pristine hiking trails is a huge deal in terms of quality of life. Not sure how to solve that one in the Bay Area though without being insanely rich and living in Woodside / Los Gatos / etc. Santa Cruz mountains maybe, but that's a long drive on a windy road to get to the South Bay, and way too far from Mountain View/Palo Alto/Menlo Park.

EliRivers 9y ago
Sideways related, Hong Kong island is in many ways a miserable place to live unless you're rich, but for the slightly middle class the footpaths over the hill are a very pleasant way to get out on your own in some nice scenery. I was surprised at how few people I ran into up there (although someone is going up regularly to maintain the tiny little shrines).