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
The thing with programming is it isn’t really 8h of looking at the screen unless you make it that, and your boss is an asshole. We had plenty of excercise during the day - we were sparring with swords, going for walks, had an accessible gym, etc. A good company understands a problem isn’t getting solved quicker by chaining someone to the PC. Though I get you - I gave it up too. Now running my own medical device company - pays like shit but is infinitely more satisfying / fulfilling. At least the interesting R&D part is lol.