Ask HN: Do you struggle to sleep after coding all day? • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: Do you struggle to sleep after coding all day?

#21

Post by captn3m0 » Tue, Jul 21, 2015, 3:19 PM UTC

egeozcan wrote: post #14

I had the same problem. Using f.lux[0] and writing down all the problems (programming related or not) that occupy my thoughts on a notepad which lives next to my bed, just before going to sleep totally eliminated the issue. [0]: https://justgetflux.com/

Make sure that you install it on all your devices. I used to read late night on my iPad, and it helped me a lot.

Re: Ask HN: Do you struggle to sleep after coding all day?

#22

Post by binarymax » Tue, Jul 21, 2015, 3:21 PM UTC

Probably a silly question but just to rule it out - are you drinking coffee (or anything caffeinated) throughout the day while you are coding?

Re: Ask HN: Do you struggle to sleep after coding all day?

#23

Post by zebra » Tue, Jul 21, 2015, 3:22 PM UTC

1. Write down if there are more steps to do. 2. Watch a BBC documentary about the cosmos or something narrated by David Attenborough. Without advertisements.

Re: Ask HN: Do you struggle to sleep after coding all day?

#24

Post by rumblerob » Tue, Jul 21, 2015, 3:22 PM UTC

I've tried melatonin, cutting out alcohol, f.lux, not looking at a screen for an hour before bed, but the one thing that has had the most influence on my sleep (for the better) is cutting out caffeine after 4pm. (relevant study: http://www.aasmnet.org/jcsm/ViewAbstract.aspx?pid=29198)

Re: Ask HN: Do you struggle to sleep after coding all day?

#25

Post by sergiosgc » Tue, Jul 21, 2015, 3:23 PM UTC

burritofanatic wrote: post #20

Last night for me was particularly tough. Coded essentially all day, struggled with a bug for hours, and was still on a caffeine high past midnight. The game plan for me should just be to wake up even earlier and wear myself out through more exercise.

Caffeine destroys my sleep. It didn't use to, but since I dialed down my caffeine intake, I'm more sensitive to it. If I forget and have a coffee after dinner, I'm done for and won't fall asleep before 2AM-3AM.

At least I know the pattern. A problem without solution is already solved: I just pick up a good book and wait it out, knowing I'll be sleepy the next day.

Re: Ask HN: Do you struggle to sleep after coding all day?

#26

Post by fohnc » Tue, Jul 21, 2015, 3:23 PM UTC

abfan1127 wrote: post #17

When I find my mind won't settle down, I'll do 1 of 2 things. If I'm concerned about a list of actions I need to do the next day, I'll write down the list on paper. This allows me to relax and know I won't forget anything. Otherwise, I'll write in my journal about what ever my thoughts are. This allows me to slow my brain down the my writing speed. It lets me process my thoughts. Its helped immensely.

As well as the list approach, actually say loud to yourself "I will solve thhe unfinished problems tomorrow, tonight I will relax". Give yourself permission to relax!

Re: Ask HN: Do you struggle to sleep after coding all day?

#27

Post by colept » Tue, Jul 21, 2015, 3:25 PM UTC

I find physical exercise is just as important to mental exercise. Even if I am spent, mentally, there's still a craving to spend physical energy or else I'll be restless. So I run after work and have found it much easier to sleep.

Re: Ask HN: Do you struggle to sleep after coding all day?

#28

Post by makmanalp » Tue, Jul 21, 2015, 3:25 PM UTC

I find that if I'm having trouble sleeping because my mind is jumping all over the place, intentionally taking time aside before sleeping to clear my head helps a lot. I just sit on the floor, examine my current thoughts, thing about them a little and write down important ones for a few minutes, then decide to stop. At this point I just practice clearing my mind for a few minutes. Thought popped back into your head? That's fine, realize it happened, and try again. Meditation, mindfulness, whatever you call it - works well for me!

Re: Ask HN: Do you struggle to sleep after coding all day?

#29

Post by dferlemann » Tue, Jul 21, 2015, 3:26 PM UTC

A fellow coder friend of mine leaves smartphone and all electronic devices outside the bedroom door before sleep. Also, spend 1 hour before bed doing something like reading or chores like cutting up onions might help as well. Just imagine onions are more important than those bugs at that moment helps.

Re: Ask HN: Do you struggle to sleep after coding all day?

#30

Post by vezzy-fnord » Tue, Jul 21, 2015, 3:27 PM UTC

egeozcan wrote: post #14

I had the same problem. Using f.lux[0] and writing down all the problems (programming related or not) that occupy my thoughts on a notepad which lives next to my bed, just before going to sleep totally eliminated the issue. [0]: https://justgetflux.com/

I recommend Redshift instead, which is a free software alternative: https://github.com/jonls/redshift