I once worked with a programmer who stood up from his desk, walked to the parking lot, and then kicked every single window out of his car. I guess he was a little stressed! But who knew? When the cops arrived, I was the only one who stood up for the guy.<p>In order not to fire him immediately, the CTO elected me take him to a psychologist. Guy invites me into the session, the sum of which was "go home on time, leave the computer off, and every night, walk until your feet hurt."<p>Within one week, he was well-rested, smiling and happy. I won't say back to his normal self, because he was a pretty weird dude!<p>When I felt I was burning out, I tossed my computers, reduced my belongings to a bag, and moved out to a farm to learn goat-herding. It was a deep, soul-recharging experience. I found that in my old city life, I was weak, dumb and blind. I couldn't think and I couldn't hear. When I left there, I felt like Moses, with all kinds of deep insights and shit. And I was healthy as an ox.<p>Unfortunately, not everyone will make such a radical change. They will have a bunch of excuses, or are looking for a more convenient solution. You know, the same kind of fear, feelings of obligation, and other flawed thinking which gets us into these things in the first place.<p>My friend, you need good food, sleep, time where you turn everything off, and plenty of exercise. Everything else is just a band-aid.<p>If the shit hits the fan, all you have is your family and your health, so you get yourself healthy. Scrub toilets and be grateful for it, if that is what you need to do. Level your pride and repair. Opportunity will be waiting for you when you are feeling better and ready for it.