Exercise. It gives you energy and takes your mind of things for a while. We're not meant to sit on our buts in front of a screen all day. I know it's hard when you're tired and overworked, but it's indispensible.
Also, sleep and eat well.
Also, sleep and eat well.
It really allows me to refocus my energy toward the project again after the workout.
Working out allows me to work more efficiently and keeps the body healthy, needed in every programmers life.
It doesn't have to be really physical: for me simple things such as walking in the nature for a while help a lot.
I also started yoga last year, and it has changed dramatically how I feel (no more back/neck pain, more focused etc). I'm actually increasing yoga to 2.5 hours per week now.
Really though to start exercising, but after a week or so it becomes energizing.
There's no way you can be serious.
I also don't doubt for a moment that exercise is healthy for the body, just like spinach, which I also hate.
But hey if you got some idea about how to make it more fun, I am open for suggestions - I have no desire to die early.
I'm more into weight lifting, myself. It's not at all tedious.
It is fun, sweaty and requires you to think on your feet. You need strategy to defeat an opponent before sparring. You need to think immediately on how to counter an attack or how to attack. You need to use leverage against a bigger opponent. You need to seize that small advantage you have to convert it to something bigger.
All of these train your mindset for entrepreneurship. Planning a strategy, changing you game plan, using leverage against bigger opponents. Having your body hurts trains you to take a beating. Losing a fight gives you feedback on how to improve if you are open to learning