Your brain works better when you move
A few of my co-workers have been motorcyclists. They enjoy spending weekends on their Harley Davidson. The serious ones will try the Iron Butt Challenge.
Perhaps riding a motorcycle for hours doesn’t sound that fun to you. I enjoy riding my road bicycle. Still, things can get sore. We need to listen to our bodies.
Software development is primarily a mental activity. The brain works better when we move. The blood flow improves oxygen circulation. It can also improve your mood and energy levels.
Stand
I wasn't sure the first time I heard of a standing desk. The company I worked at installed a few. I tested them out. Initially, I thought I couldn’t do this all day. Then I realized I didn’t have to. A little standing is better than sitting all day.
Move
I have enjoyed Brian Johnson’s work at Heroic. One repeated maxim he shares is “Opportunities to Move” or simply OTMs. Yes, we can work out. In addition, we can seek movement throughout the day. Walk outside. Park the car further away. Take the stairs.
Energy Management
Have you ever considered how your work diminishes when you are tired and hungry? In Thinking Fast and Slow Daniel Kahneman explores this. They noticed that judges' decisions would default to denying release to cases as their energy levels began to deplete.
Look for ways to keep your energy levels up. Take a walk. Grab a healthy snack. Move your body and get your blood flowing. Look for patterns in your day when you see your work and mood dwindle.
Frequent Breaks
What do tomatoes have to do with productivity? Pomodoro is Italian for tomatoes. The Pomodoro Technique is an approach to productivity. You set a 25-minute timer(tomato timer). The focused burst punctuated with a five-minute break can help you complete your most important task.
Give your mind a break. It can help clear your thoughts and cleanly transition to your next task. Switching quickly between tasks can lead to overwhelm.