Are you a programmer? Do you want to be healthy and happy as a software programmer despite the challenges that your job throws your way? We have some tips that will help you become a satisfied and healthy programmer.
Why are Software Programmers not Happy?
Several reasons confirm why many programmers haven’t found the satisfaction they want. It could be because of the long hours they sit to write lines of code. It could also be because of the excess preference for snacks instead of cooked meals.
Programming is a tough job. There is no doubt about that. But, why don’t you use the tips we shared below to enjoy your programming job and be in good health?
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Take Pauses
Just like the codes keep stretching, it doesn’t mean that you have to stretch yourself too. The truth is that you may be putting in more work into your programming job to the detriment of your health.
The rule of thumb is to take some pauses or go for a few breaks after a while. If you don’t have enough time to spare, consider taking a 5 minutes pause every hour so you can have some fresh breath outside. Otherwise, consider using the Pomodoro Technique, which stipulates taking a 5-minute break every 25 minutes.
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Say No to Sweet Tooth Cravings
Your sweet tooth wants some sugar, or so you think. While it might not hurt to take some sweets and snacks at intervals, it can be detrimental to your health if you keep doing that all the time.
Do not allow your sweet tooth cravings to push you to take more sugar than your body needs. You may have been sold the lie that eating more sugary foods will help you keep awake when all it does is to sleep when you should be working and become obese over time.
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Enough of Snacks; Eat Healthier Meals
Snacks can pose serious health challenges if you don’t start reducing the intake in time.
One of the best ways to become a happy and healthy programmer is to eat fewer snacks and more cooked meals. And if you don’t have more time to spare in cooking, consider walking to a nearby restaurant to eat some cooked meals that will replenish your body.
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Keep Yourself Fit
The evaluation of your health as a programmer starts by calculating how to fit you are. If you notice that it is now difficult for you to lift weight or do some other jobs that demand physical strength, it means that you have lost some strength.
To replenish that, you have to engage in workouts. Otherwise, start taking some walk after spending some hours coding. It will only be a few weeks or months before your vigor starts coming back.
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Maintain a Good Sitting Posture
The posture of the way you sit determines whether you will be happy and healthy as a programmer or not. That is because a good sitting posture equals good health.
Some helpful tips will help you maintain the right sitting posture. Some big company like facebook and google invest much in ergonomic office furniture for their employees, because ergonomic chairs and desks can reduce the pressure of our body, relief the backpain and form a good sitting posture. So, you should consider to invest in a good ergonomic office chair too.
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Position Your Monitor Properly
The position of your monitor or desktop determines how good your sitting posture will be.
The first consideration here is to keep your monitor 40 inches away from you. That way, you can relax in your chair will programming.
If that seems a hard task, consider sitting straight, sitting at adjusted heights, and sitting at 90-degree angles.
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Get Enough Sleep
If you did not get enough sleep the night before, there is a tendency that you will wake up frustrated and unhappy. Most times, software programmers work late into the night because they believe that is the best time of the day when their creativity will kick in.
That isn’t always true because you tend to be weak and not in the best frame of mind to continue coding. That is why you should sleep for 7 hours or more in a day so you can wake up the next morning with a smile on your face to continue coding.
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Drink Enough Water
Dehydration is one of the reasons why programmers aren’t always happy on the job. Your body needs to be hydrated at all times.
First, drinking enough water has a way of naturally detoxifying the body so you can pass off some impurities in your body as urine.
Second, a hydrated programmer stands a better chance of being happy because fatigue caused by a few water intakes wouldn’t bother you.
Moreover, when you drink enough water, you will be a step ahead from suffering from dry eyes.
Conclusion
Coding may be tasking and can take up all your time. Yet, that shouldn’t make you unhappy and unmotivated. You can always look for other things that will help you feel fulfilled, healthier, and happy as a programmer.
We are sure you have been inspired by the tips we just shared. We would look forward to knowing how those tips helped you become a happy and healthier software programmer.