i do the same. If I get stuck on something best thing to do is get away. Shower, walk, food shopping, etc… just get away from the problem and destress so you can tackle it with a fresh perspective
Comment on Become a Better Programmer by Taking a Shower
mp3@lemmy.ca 7 months ago
I’m not a programmer but a sysadmin, and being able to work from home has multiple benefits. When I get stuck on something, I like to jump in a shower just to decompress and honestly it sometimes help to gain a different perspective.
Otherwise I like to just get up for a couple of minutes to make a coffee, or take the dog for a walk for maybe 10 minutes around the block and breathe some fresh air.
NixDev@programming.dev 7 months ago
grooving@lemmy.studio 7 months ago
There is something about the zen vibe of a shower which gets my creative brain going ham. I come up with so many ideas in the shower. But I don’t want to waste hot water 30 mins a day. I’m yet to find something that works in a similar way. Like a walk is fine, but the white noise of a shower, in the heat with water massaging your shoulders, water dripping over your face. It’s powerful stuff. I’ve tried standing under a heat lamp, but it doesn’t hit the same way. Any ideas?
glockenspiel@programming.dev 7 months ago
For me, it is the mindless reptition or task accomplishment. Showers work well because I don’t have to think about what I’m doing, which frees my mind up for something else. There’s no rush, there’s plenty of soothing ambiance, and it just works. I find doing chores around the house can trigger the same type of state. Putting dishes away lets my mind wander and problem solve. So does putting away laundry, dusting, sweeping, stuff like that. I usually need to wear earbuds and play an ambient noise to help me along.
But showers are still the best. You hit the nail on the head in your description about why it works. I think the key is anything relaxing, but not too relaxing such that you get drowsy.