imho, the best companion for a coder in home office is a dog.
Try to explain your problem to your dog, if you are stuck. And if this does not help, walk the dog to free your mind, and relax. Most often the solution is obvious once I'm back home.
Dogs are allowed in our office at work. When I started taking our dog to the office, I wondered about a productivity drop, what with poop breaks (for the dog) and the dog wanting the occasional bit of attention. It's hard to empirically measure, but I'm pretty sure I'm more productive. Even just turning to pet the dog, and take a break from staring at the screen for a few minutes is helpful. Hourly walk breaks, instead of sitting staring at the screen until lunch, clears my head and gives me a new perspective on a problem sometimes.
Of course you don't need a dog. Just get your ass out of the seat once in a while. It's just easier to remember when something is pawing at you. :-)
Completely agree - Plus when he wants to go out and play it forces you to take breaks and refresh yourself. Really helps keep you going and make it more enjoyable by the end of the day.
True. A dog is a good reminder that its time for a break. A dog forces you to take a walk 3 to 5 times a day, regardless if its sunny, raining or storm. This certainly has also a health benefit.
Try to explain your problem to your dog, if you are stuck. And if this does not help, walk the dog to free your mind, and relax. Most often the solution is obvious once I'm back home.