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Comment by jballanc | Hacker News Reader

I find that very often the perfect cure for too much "thinking" work is an awful lot of physical work. I started feeling a lot better about working on my Ph.D. when I got a second job stocking shelves on the night shift.

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I'm a Ph.D. student. Including the time spent getting my Master's, I've been in grad school five and a half years.

If it wasn't for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and lifting, I would be lost.

Training BJJ and MMA is physical, skill-based and social. I train with people who don't care if I miss or make the next paper deadline. They only care that I show up, work hard, and be friendly. Lifting by myself has a meditative quality.

Most people go through a week without ever exposing themselves to real physical exertion, and I have no idea how they cope.

Also a Ph.D. student, Karatedo myself. My sensei's on my committee :-)

I found carpentry to be a good revitalizer, building decks, fences and the like. Long hikes work. I cant turn off the thinking, but I can usually point it somewhere else.

Ditto. Bike rides, washing dishes, fixing stuff around the apartment are all nice escapes from the cerebral world.

Bike rides were amazing for me. I decided to bike to and from work (about 10 miles each way). I can't imagine not doing it now, its the best way to start and end my day.

I run a mile when I need to unwind, it does absolute wonders (both physical and mental health!), and is a great way to refocus.

Damn. 10 miles seems like a lot. Mostly flat? How long does it take you?

It probably takes him a bit more than 30 mins, and a bit less than 1 hr. Most people average 15mph or a little less biking. It obviously depends on how in shape you are, what kind of bike you ride, and how urban the ride is. I rode 5 miles every day over a summer and it was a pretty consistent 20 minutes. (even with some hills and stoplights.)

You would be surprised of the distances you can make in a bike without burning yourself.

Took me about 35 - 40 min each way

During the winter, like now, when I feel blocked I scan things into Delicious Library. I organize stuff digitally. It helps keep me away from the cold and it's mindless enough work that I can really focus on it.

Not quite the same as that - but I now live on a property that has a large amount of gardens to take care of (otherwise fire/snakes and general pestilence will ensue). its not every day, but its an epic effort when I do tackle it - but I view it as a) healthy excercise (on top of what I normally do) and b) somehow good for me - I do enjoy doing it and look forward to it.

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