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Unplugging Once a Week

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48 pointskevinchau22 comments

It took me a long time to figure out why I loved working out so much. I didn't realize that it wasn't just the endorphins, it was because I didn't have my damn iPhone with me.

I now make sure to go off the grid for at least an hour a day, usually by going to the gym. No matter how much work I have, or how busy I am. Easily the most relaxing hour of the day, every day.

What's funny is, by the 55-minute mark, I usually start to get excited/antsy about all the emails/texts I must have waiting for me and all the people out there in the world that have been anxiously awaiting my return - 7 archived junk emails and a Snapchat later, it's usually like I was never gone.

I love technology, and I love my computer and phone to death, but I love them more after consistent unplugging.

Whoa, what you have said has just turned on the big light bulb above my head. A couple of years ago, I would commute to work on my bike, a round trip time of about 90mins. I look forward to it every day, regardless of the weather conditions. I never really understood why. But after reading your item, it all make sense.

When I ride my bike, I don't have my phone on, don't listen to any podcast or music as I ride, it is just me, my bike and the bike path. I fully focus on the riding, that helps me to avoid thinking about work. This is my daily unplug.

Thanks for helping me understand. Now, where is my bike...

What you're describing sounds like flow: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flow_(psychology)

I think I should actively play out my brain's "grass is always greener" mechanism against itself more. When I'm working out I also keep having ideas about work and wanting to work, and when I'm sat down I feel like doing something physical. Or I just want to hit my bed. But then when I do, I keep thinking about work and want to get up and do it.

One thing about the gym is that I find it best to do it either around the 4pm mark, when we're in our energy low, or at night also when we're tired. We're mostly tired because of our brains, and doing exercise recovers my mental energy like nothing else.

OT: "This page has insecure content."

Change this:

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to this:

    <script type="text/javascript" src="//static.bufferapp.com/js/button.js">

I like to get out for daily walks, sometimes (every 10 to 15 days) going for a short 2.5 to 3 mile hike in the forest to get a change of scenery and enjoy it.

I often put in 12 to 18 hours a day, so these hikes are a big help to unwind as well as get some exercise.

Sometimes I'll get away from work for a day or two, but I don't really follow any schedule.

I rather prefer the idea of unplugging from the internet once a week. Some of my best hackings have been done without internet access. Aboard a flight comes to mind. Just me, vim and the terminal. But then of course, either a deep knowledge of the technologies at hand or a good offline documentation is mandatory.

As for winding down, for me two things suffice: exercising and socializing. During the week an hour-long religious barbell lifting session a la Mark Rippetoe is greatly savored by my mind (I find that tiring my body replenishes my brain) and on the weekends hanging out with friends.

http://kapeli.com/dash

Lifesaver for coding on flights.

If you have a mac, shame if you run anything else as everytime I see dash I wish it was multiplatform.

Wow, how have I not heard I'd dash before? That looks fantastic. Thanks!

I'm fond of occasionally leaving my laptop at work. It pretty effectively enforces no-internet (for the most part - still have phone) for the night.

I make a point to do no work in the evenings after work and if I do decide I want to work on something I set myself a condition that if I don't produce anything good in an hour then have to stop.

Then at the weekends I have Saturday as my 'work on personal projects' day and Sunday as my relax, play games, go out and use no technology day (netflix, consoles and google being the exception!).

Forcing myself not to work evenings and Sundays I find myself that much more motivated when I can work so I get more done in the smaller amounts of time.

I've not been doing it long but already I'm feeling this urge to sit down and do some good work!

Related to this is my post from two years ago about my bedroom: http://blog.jgc.org/2011/09/disconnected-bedroom.html

i rewired our how last year, and just last week i finally flipped on the breaker for the master bedroom (was too lazy to move the dresser to wire a receptacle for all that time). for 16 months, no laptops, phone chargers, etc. just kindles and my wife's iphone (alarm clock). i'd charge my phone in the kitchen each night, so there was no temptation to reach over and check email/fb/hn/etc. i loved it. now, within a week of having functioning receptacles, my wife and i both have iphone / mbp chargers on our nightstands. i actually had trouble falling asleep a few nights back; it's been 5-6 years since i've had trouble sleeping. i think the freedom from temptation had a lot to do w/ it.

Ha....We're only allowed to use Kindles in our bedroom, too.

Nice. I got the same setup at home ^^.

And I must say it helps quite a lot for having a good night sleep.

The idea of unplugging at least an hour a day, a day a week, and a week a year seems very sensible.

I am very fond of this idea, but haven't been able to accomplish it yet. I feel like I will miss something very important, though statistically it doesn't seem to be likely.

Sometimes I think we work, read and surf so much that we start fearing solitude and our own thoughts. Maybe it is just vice versa?

David Foster Wallace had some interesting thoughts on the importance of boredom. I'm on a mobile so I can't provide links, but google that!

Thanks, will do.

This is a great idea, I know a lot of religious people who do this and highly recommend it, even if you're just dropping electronics, they don't tell you to go to church, or synagogue or w/e, (though I'm sure they'd rather you did) but they praise the amount of mental rest they get from just ignoring all that nonsense for a 24 hour period.

You guys, the 40 hour work week was fought for. Thank Henry Ford for your Saturdays off too. Your time is your time, you will never get it back.

Of course time off is important. It develops inspiration, and allows you to round yourself out in other interests.

Don't get me wrong, I love what I do and am very passionate about it. I also love my free time too.

Unstability is my new startup name.

Seriously, though, this kind of work ethic is terrible. You need to give your brain room to be creative. Your work will be better for it.

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