Hacker News Reader

Comment by xupybd | Hacker News Reader

Lack of sleep is my killer. The effort to figure things out has me hunting for dopamine and on sites like HN.

I hate it, the days I feel truly alive are when I'm totally focused and smashing out code. Only they're so rare now that I have a family and so many responsibilities outside of writing code.

View on HN

Second that. I often find myself with the worst self-control late at night or after a few beers.

Young kids mean you can't prevent the tiredness and productivity suffers especially when working from home.

I used to drink a couple of beers at home at night from time to time. We used to buy them in the supermarket with my wife. I thought it was normal, but it isn't. This year I have completely stopped my alcohol intake, I stopped buying beer in the supermarket, and for the first time ever in my life I have been able to control my sleep schedule. I also feel less tired.

Maybe give it a try.

I'm not 100% against alcohol - but in the moment I only drink in social settings never alone at home. Not even one beer.

With all the posts and debates lately on this site about the health "evils" of alcohol, this is the most important thing to note about the substance: It absolutely kills your focus.

Don't quit to "be healthy", as the ill health effects are overblown and highly conflated with other poor lifestyle factors in heavy drinkers.

Quit because the GABA receptor agonism completely wrecks your ability to focus and sleep deeply.

I don't have a regular sleep problem as such, I train regularly so am usually pretty tired. Just on the occasion I have too many or interrupted sleep due to kids or whatever, self-control goes out the window.

I got to the point where drinking wasn't worth it for me. I've had no issues with over indulgence but it still gets me.

There was a period where I'd have 3 or 4 ciders a week. I put on weight like you wouldn't believe.

Then there is snoring, if I have one beer that night my wife won't be able to sleep.

I just don't really drink now.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com