I do the equivalent at work - go away from the computer and think. Well I'm a contractor / consultant with many home office hours now, but I did the same as an employee. In most cases I leave my phone at the desk because a) it helps me focus (same as leaving the computer behind) and b) it signals that I'm not wasting time, I'm thinking. No one has ever complained.

From photos of some development offices of companies that "get" software, the usefulness of hammock-driven development seems well understood there.

When I used to smoke I had the same thing with going outside to stand in the cold and think.

Also, strangely, I think the "deep breathing" of smoking helped with the cognitive processes. That and the release from the nicotine cravings ofc.