I have experienced that if skip even one day after 8 hour of physical labor streak my energy levels suddenly go to the bottom and I start to feel super bad. It’s quite strange because I do not think I could not be depressed if I had a sedentary job. Sedentary things just destroy me. Also I like and wanted job in programming/cs so yeah. Gotta career switch or something apparently because cardio in the evening isn’t enough, I am like golden retriever. Only truly satisfied when all my muscles ache at the end of the day. And also I need immediate results out of my work
I might be stating the obvious, but it sounds like you are a prime candidate for standing desks and treadmills.
Naw I just decided programming is boring as shit and depressing after a decade of time investment, standing desk or not. I know that there are some ex programmers who run farms and such. I just can’t look at screen for 8 hours locked up indoors no more. 12 hours of vigorous physical labour for 3 days that’s something I never thought feels that good. I guess if it wasn’t my own stuff it would feel worse but with working for your own credit with no boss, stranger things were pleasurable
I don’t think I was ever happy programming. It is satisfying to solve programming problems yes but fulfilling? Not at all
When you are renovating for example you also solve many problems and design the space but then also you move around a lot and there are quick physical results and satisfaction from neatly laid floor for example