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Ask YC: Dealing with cabin fever

news.ycombinator.com

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Re: Ask YC: Dealing with cabin fever

#11

Post by aarontait »

izak30 wrote: post #7
aarontait wrote: post #3

Grab your laptop and head to the nearest Starbucks or coffee shop. I find I need to constantly change locations at least every four hours to keep productive and prevent my mind from going "stale". Thank god I work at a university where I can just hop around from the library to other common areas. Try changing where you usually sit and work in your apartment. I sit in all kinds of weird places. My new favorite place i…

The GTD crowd would hate this! lol. I'm not as mobile as you, but I sit on the couch and work every once in a while. It helps me to just put it away at times like lunch and dinner. (I'm in ohio, so the 'outside' options are limited right now)

I believe the good book Allen states that your GTD system can be mobile. I think I even remember David saying he uses a mobile version with folders in his suitcase.

Re: Ask YC: Dealing with cabin fever

#12

Post by nirmal »

I'm working in a research assistant position at my college and spend a fair bit of time wandering the campus. I know it pretty well, I've been here for 6 years ;) but it's nice to just see random people.

Also, getting on our bus line and riding it around for a loop or two is really useful.

Re: Ask YC: Dealing with cabin fever

#13

Post by sgoraya »

I sometimes visit my friend's office - setup my laptop and work in an empty cubicle / conference room for a few hours, go grab lunch with my buddies and then head back to my office; I try to do this at least once a week; My other option to break the monotony is to sometimes visit the library and setup shop there (especially if I have to read/review/reference materials )

Re: Ask YC: Dealing with cabin fever

#16

Post by rcoder »

People are social animals. Living and working by yourself 24/7 is a recipe for burn-out, maladjustment, and general unhappiness. I'd recommend finding some ongoing events to draw you out of the house: volunteer with a local charity, or join a programmers' group in your area.

Try to spend at least an hour a day interacting with people you don't see every other day. (I.e., not a live-in significant other or a business partner.)

Re: Ask YC: Dealing with cabin fever

#17

Post by wallflower »

rcoder wrote: post #16

People are social animals. Living and working by yourself 24/7 is a recipe for burn-out, maladjustment, and general unhappiness. I'd recommend finding some ongoing events to draw you out of the house: volunteer with a local charity, or join a programmers' group in your area. Try to spend at least an hour a day interacting with people you don't see every other day. (I.e., not a live-in significant other or a business…

If you are in a funk, go to somewhere with a lot of people and say hi with a smile to first twenty people you cross paths with. The first 15 probably won't respond but once you cross a magic line and people start smiling back you'll feel more connected

Re: Ask YC: Dealing with cabin fever

#18

Post by newton_dave »

Go outside?

The human mind works well in 45-minute intervals (obviously this isn't always practical, but even working on something related-but-easier for 10-15 minutes between two 45-minute intervals) so I try to step away from the computer every 45-90 minutes, give or take.

Re: Ask YC: Dealing with cabin fever

#20

Post by wehriam »

I've been doing the same thing for a few years now. I try to "leave the house" - shopping, eating out, etc - every day. Having a dog also helps.

I am happiest when I have an active social life (out 2-4 times a week), although this can be difficult to maintain.

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