I find I have real problems with mental energy after a whole day programming. I do my best work in the mornings but after lunch things go downhill. Trying to fix a bug at 6 o'clock is torture. I haven't had many proper jobs so I don't know it's really the programming that does the damage, maybe it's just staring at a screen and trying to concentrate in a noisy office that grinds me down. Sometimes I think I'd be happier with a job digging a hole all day. But, greener grass and all that. Is there anything I can to improve my mental energy? Any super foods to recommend?

Quote: Original post by Somnia
Any super foods to recommend?

Pomegranate.

Quote: Original post by Somnia

I find I have real problems with mental energy after a whole day programming. I do my best work in the mornings but after lunch things go downhill. Trying to fix a bug at 6 o'clock is torture.

I haven't had many proper jobs so I don't know it's really the programming that does the damage, maybe it's just staring at a screen and trying to concentrate in a noisy office that grinds me down. Sometimes I think I'd be happier with a job digging a hole all day. But, greener grass and all that.

Is there anything I can to improve my mental energy? Any super foods to recommend?

What do you eat for lunch, and how much? Do you drink tons of coffee in the morning? How much water do you drink? How is the air in your office? Do you listen to music whilst working? For how long do you sleep each night?

Just a few things which may have an effect.

Diet and exercise is the key I've found.

Ever since I switched my breakfast to Readybrek with full fat milk I've felt more alert in the morning and been able to function longer into the afternoon. At lunch, I'm not so good diet wise however I still take on around 900 kcals to keep everything firing during the afternoon.

Then, if I can, I'll go for a run, say 30 to 40mins which, after I've got in and had a shower/something to eat, leaves me alert for the rest of the evening/into the night and ready to sleep around 1am.

The running has been the real improvement, leaves me feeling better and more alert and the good breakfast seems to follow me through the day as well.

I try and sip water through the day but I don't really drink coffee, I'd rather become dependent on coffee as some people I know seem to be. The office is cramped and stuffy. And bright, they have all the lights on all day even in midsummer. And noisy, did I mention noisy? Yak yak yak yak yak. I can imagine listening to music might help but it's frowned upon.

Diet and exercise are key factors.

Sometimes, you just need to get some oxygen to your brain. Take frequent breaks to get up, stretch, and walk around outside if possible. I often find walking a lap or two around the building helps a lot. Take some deep breaths outside while you walk to really get the oxygen and the blood flowing.

Strenuous exercise is the most effective thing that I've found. I do some of my best thinking either during or after a nice long run.

As far as diet, I'm not a doctor but I would consider cutting down sugar. I notice that if I overdo it on sugar, then I feel dumber and less motivated for a few hours.

But anyway, I think we all go through smart phases and dumb phases. The important thing is that if you notice you're in a dumb phase, don't try to force yourself to solve problems, instead get up and take a break. Or find something else to work on.

Good advice. I'll definitely try and get more excercise, although the tendonitis in my shoulder has been keeping me imobile for a while, it's annoying how much you need your shoulder for.

Sometimes I feel incredibly tired between 2-4 in the afternoon, especially if I have a big lunch. Sometimes I am so sleepy I can barely walk. My coworkers claim I need coffee or expresso (which they drink at lunch everyday), but I don't like those drinks, and besides, I want to stay awake without resorting to caffeine. In the old days I'd drink 3 cans of soda a day, but I only drink soda occasionally now.

But the last couple weeks I've been much more awake in the afternoons. I've improved my diet and have been exercising more often. That could be it. (I've had such a craving for a hamburger & fries the last week...)

My professional job at the moment entails about 80% staring at a computer, and 20% 'other stuff.' However, today I basically did go dig a hole all day, and seeing as its been pushing 100 degrees (37 C?) here lately, I'd have to say I'm definitely way more worn down today than usual.

7:30 A.M., 1 can Mt. Dew
9:30 A.M., 2 cups coffee
11:30 A.M., double bacon cheeseburger & some random soda pop
3:00 P.M., 1 can Mt. Dew
...

Maybe I should cut back on the caffeine, but don't, I repeat, do NOT, touch my bacon cheeseburger ;)