Given that they said "But I can't give up my hobby" (zoning out to TV instead means giving up that hobby) and the fact that the solution they found largely solves the problem without the use of meds, why would they bother giving it a try?

Not "watch TV instead of programming", watch TV before bed instead of programming.

I have to do this. I've got a zone of about an hour before my usual 11pm sleep time where if I'm programming, I will not get to sleep until around 2-3am, and the next day will be at least subpar and possibly worse. Sometimes I get so into it that I just don't notice and end up blowing past it, and I pay every time.

It's actually kind of nice to have an hour where I can read for light entertainment or watch some video content or something and do so guilt-free by even the most rigorous standards of productive time use, because I don't have anything net productive I can do in that time. In fact, budgeting entertainment into that time slot is just about the most productive use of that time.

If the hobby is causing serious problems, then maybe changes should be seriously considered. I would never prioritize my current lifestyle + meds over changing said lifestyle without meds, especially when sleep is in the balance.

That of course depends on whether you consider a magnesium supplement to be "meds". If one is legitimately deficient in some micronutrient, then I hardly think ensuring one gets sufficient amount of that micronutrient to be considered "medicating".

For me personally TV seldomly works. Either in too bored and start thinking about/doing something else, or I start to be really awake and then can't easily stop continuing to watch.

Regularly doing sports and reading fiction (often only 15min, never less than 5) before sleeping works better for me.

But it's perfectly normal to differ here ;)

I think long walk/run would be better than staring at yet another screen in this case..just my view. I find both running and walking extremely relaxing.

Exercise makes it pretty difficult for me to sleep, for up to 3 hours after. So, if done with the appropriate lead time, it should work.

Personally what I do is 30 minutes of exercise, just as a break in between the two activities(projects), after a shower it allows me to restart with better mood and more energy. Still too early to make me asleep at night time.