I've done well reducing the amount of things I have that can distract me for long periods of time. These are things like news sites (don't visit much anymore),

I've done well reducing the amount of things I have that can distract me for long periods of time. These are things like news sites (don't visit much anymore), phone, social media (don't have anymore), news aggregators like HN (only visit very occasionally, never on phone). Then... when I get that gnawing feeling of "What should I be doing?" I just stare out the window or at the wall or ceiling until I end up getting up and doing something. I mean, even Buddha probably had to walk around his tree sometimes. It works pretty well!