Sometimes it's natural to take a break, don't beat yourself up about it! Try to stay positive instead of stressing yourself about output. If you can't manage your psychology around it, try searching for 'psychology of rest' or 'creativity and rest' or something else likely to turn up positive results about random breaks, then convince yourself you're taking the most pragmatic approach!
Ask HN: What do you do when you are lethargic?
11–20 of 60 posts
Re: Ask HN: What do you do when you are lethargic?
#12I put some music on. This always snaps me out of it. Of course, it depends what sort of music. Loud, obnoxious, and appealing. Something I haven't heard in a while.
Re: Ask HN: What do you do when you are lethargic?
#13I often find that just getting out of the house (going through that process of showering, getting dress etc..) helps a lot. If 'walk around' implies just walking around your house, I'd suggest trying that.
I agree. Getting out of the house is great in general, especially for people who work at home (in case that applies). Fresh air alone is worth it, and good for your health. As I've gotten older, I've come to appreciate just how important fresh air really is to the body and mind. And there is never anything fresh about the air in your house. And when you do get out, the stimulation of the world around gets you out of your own head and can be enough sometimes to break the static blah that has been laid over your thoughts.
Re: Ask HN: What do you do when you are lethargic?
#14coffee
Re: Ask HN: What do you do when you are lethargic?
#15I think sustained cardiovascular activity is the best thing. Not weight lifting, but running, swimming, or fast walking, biking, any of those things. Seriously, it works. Also, getting the blood moving in that way tends to inspire many great ideas; many influential people throughout history associated active body movement with good ideas.
This has been empirically shown
http://news.stanford.edu/news/2014/april/walking-vs-sitting-...
Re: Ask HN: What do you do when you are lethargic?
#16often, it's discipline over motivation.
having a routine helps to actually get you up and doing activities during the day. then the small accomplishments accumulate to motivation returning. break things into small tasks, and socialize.
Re: Ask HN: What do you do when you are lethargic?
#17It's ok to be lethargic sometimes. If it's very regular it could be a symptom of something else (maybe psychological; depression, general lack of motivation), so maybe you can talk to a therapist about it.
Go for a run? If you don't have the energy to run, go for a walk. If you're not going to do anything during the day, might as well enjoy the sun and visit new places.
Re: Ask HN: What do you do when you are lethargic?
#18I have similar dynamics where phases total lethargy are often followed by episodes of surprising energy. I can second that exercise and the lack thereof can seriously affect your mental wellbeing. Watching sleep hygiene, excise and diet are important. Also check if you might be suffering from depression. Apart from that I have to say that I personally like this alternation and resting. If it does not feel awful for you maybe just accept this as your nature :)
Re: Ask HN: What do you do when you are lethargic?
#19I think sustained cardiovascular activity is the best thing. Not weight lifting, but running, swimming, or fast walking, biking, any of those things. Seriously, it works. Also, getting the blood moving in that way tends to inspire many great ideas; many influential people throughout history associated active body movement with good ideas.
Weight lifting is a form of cardiovascular work.
Re: Ask HN: What do you do when you are lethargic?
#20I often find that just getting out of the house (going through that process of showering, getting dress etc..) helps a lot. If 'walk around' implies just walking around your house, I'd suggest trying that.
I agree. Getting out of the house is great in general, especially for people who work at home (in case that applies). Fresh air alone is worth it, and good for your health. As I've gotten older, I've come to appreciate just how important fresh air really is to the body and mind. And there is never anything fresh about the air in your house. And when you do get out, the stimulation of the world around gets you out of…
+1 fresh air !