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Best ways to fight fatigue when coding?

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Re: Best ways to fight fatigue when coding?

#11

Post by afarrell »

joelg wrote: post #9

I've been experimenting with working away from an Internet connection, and it's been working really well for most things. It has two great features: - it forces me to focus only on code when I'm coding, since 9gag/Reddit/Facebook aren't available, and - it forces me to get up and walk around and do physical things when I'm taking a break from coding I find I am less fatigued and about as efficient, even if it means b…

For osx, https://selfcontrolapp.com is also useful for blocking 9gag/Reddit/Facebook, but it will still let you get on stackoverflow

I think for windows there is https://getcoldturkey.com/

Re: Best ways to fight fatigue when coding?

#13

Post by AnimalMuppet »

bpg_92 wrote: post #3
angersock wrote: post #2

If you feel like taking a break, just take a break. :) When you feel better, come back to it--you aren't any worse for doing so!

But the deadlines! I am sleeping so little, got too much caffeine in my system, dunno, thanks for the advice though, will try to take a nap and see some posts in 9gag

Coding is not an assembly line. If you're too tired when you do it, you move more slowly, and you make more mistakes. You then have to find and fix the mistakes, which is even harder when you're tired.

Extreme Programming (XP) is about going absolutely as fast as you can. Two of XP's maxims are "Quit when you're tired" and "Never work overtime for more than one week in a row" - because you go faster when you quit when you're tired and don't work tons of overtime.

Re: Best ways to fight fatigue when coding?

#14

Post by bpg_92 »

sudojudo wrote: post #8

First, don't set deadlines that make things difficult. Give yourself time to do the job properly. If the client is too demanding, they're going to be a problem in other aspects of the job as well. Gaining respect first comes from respecting yourself. Second, get plenty of quality sleep, that means no caffeine/alcohol for 6-8 hours before bed, and allowing yourself at least 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep. Third, when…

Thank you so much, you are right, I'll just drop some projects and try to focus on myself, I am in the border of a collapse if I keep going this way.

Re: Best ways to fight fatigue when coding?

#15

Post by afarrell »

AnimalMuppet wrote: post #13
bpg_92 wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

But the deadlines! I am sleeping so little, got too much caffeine in my system, dunno, thanks for the advice though, will try to take a nap and see some posts in 9gag

Coding is not an assembly line. If you're too tired when you do it, you move more slowly, and you make more mistakes. You then have to find and fix the mistakes, which is even harder when you're tired. Extreme Programming (XP) is about going absolutely as fast as you can. Two of XP's maxims are "Quit when you're tired" and "Never work overtime for more than one week in a row" - because you go faster when you quit whe…

If coding was an assembly line, you wouldn't want to do it while tired. That would be a good way to get .

Sleep is super necessary.

Re: Best ways to fight fatigue when coding?

#16

Post by bbcbasic »

For me

1. I saw a specialist doctor because I was fatigued coding or not coding. Turned out I needed some treatment.

2. In addition I quit my job in a stressful environment where I was pressured to get complicated work done quickly, with little or no help, working with people who were either arrogant or just too busy themselves.

Now I work 38 hrs a week and I am happy. I have energy to learn in my spare time, and I am just learning stuff I find interesting not to 'enhance my career'. Also have a family and sleepless nights due to having young children, but that is manageable if the work environment is good.

Re: Best ways to fight fatigue when coding?

#18

Post by altotrees »

The one thing to avoid is too much caffeine, or any other stimulant. First thing in the morning, I have found that they make me feel like the most brilliant, innovative writer and developer ever. So I have some more, and a bit more, and a touch more...

Later on in the day, I cannot even understand some of my earlier thoughts, I get shaky and generally burnt out. Watch out for too much of a good thing.

I have also found that sleep, a brisk walk in the afternoons, and exercise after work help tremendously. Taking care of yourself will improve your work life greatly. Sure, you can grow more proficient and versatile sometimes by locking yourself in a room in front of a screen coding, but do it too much and the impact will be more negative than positive. YMMV.

Re: Best ways to fight fatigue when coding?

#19

Post by arithma »

bbcbasic wrote: post #16

For me 1. I saw a specialist doctor because I was fatigued coding or not coding. Turned out I needed some treatment. 2. In addition I quit my job in a stressful environment where I was pressured to get complicated work done quickly, with little or no help, working with people who were either arrogant or just too busy themselves. Now I work 38 hrs a week and I am happy. I have energy to learn in my spare time, and I a…

Would you mind elaborating a bit more about the treatment/diagnosis. I believe I am facing something similar, been having swings positive and negative, but it has been become mostly negative now.

Re: Best ways to fight fatigue when coding?

#20

Post by bbcbasic »

arithma wrote: post #19
bbcbasic wrote: post #16

For me 1. I saw a specialist doctor because I was fatigued coding or not coding. Turned out I needed some treatment. 2. In addition I quit my job in a stressful environment where I was pressured to get complicated work done quickly, with little or no help, working with people who were either arrogant or just too busy themselves. Now I work 38 hrs a week and I am happy. I have energy to learn in my spare time, and I a…

Would you mind elaborating a bit more about the treatment/diagnosis. I believe I am facing something similar, been having swings positive and negative, but it has been become mostly negative now.

I didn't feel depressed with highs/low, it was more like a foggy mind, wanting to sleep. Not like when you only get 2 hours sleep. Different feeling to that. Imagine getting 2 hours sleep without the adrenaline kicking in to compensate.

I was found to have low testosterone, adrenal fatigue and the Lymes disease bacteria showed up although the accuracy of testing for that is not perfect. Treatment based on rectifying those things - testosterone supplements, other supplements for adrenal, strong antibiotics for 6 months.

Hope you are able to sort your symptoms out. For hard to diagnose things you have to treat doctors like staff, i.e. know about the problem enough yourself so you can judge if the doctor is doing is a good job. It's a hassle and last thing you need when you are sick! Luckily I wasn't too sick but feel sorry for people who get fatigue really bad where they can't leave the house for days.

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