Health is Wealth!
Being a programmer, we all need to keep learning, applying and repeating. With so much to learn and so much to do,
- How do we hit the balance?
- What tips would you give, to follow everyday, that would ensure good health?
- Are there any Apps or webapps that you would recommend, that helps in this direction?
- Are there any tools like chair, table, keyboard, mouse, screen guard or whatever, that you would recommend?
Even the smallest/sillest tip would help all of us. π
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Top comments (19)
I get up from my chair regularly (I've been having back problems for years, so this is crucial for me). At the office I'd just go to the water fountain regularly - maybe every 20 minutes or so. Now that I'm working from home, I listen to vinyl records while working. This forces me to get up regularly to change sides or get another record.
I have an ergonomic chair (AllSteel Sum), I use a vertical mouse (Evoluent Vertical mouse), an ergonomic keyboard (Kinesis Freestyle) and a keyboard tray set to the correct height (it's not always what looks comfortable - look online for proper settings). Monitors are also set to the correct height (actually I'm lucky, they just happen to be the correct height on my desk...)
I try to steer clear of junk food as much as possible (that wasn't always true, but nothing like a health scare to set you on the right path). Lately my morning snack is a couple of clementines. But keep in mind that a less-healthy treat from time to time can also do the brain and moral some good - all in moderation. :) I used to weigh nearly 220 pounds a little over three years ago and I'm now at 163. Keeping junkfood in check and being mindful of portion sizes has a lot to do with that.
I try to go for a short walk in the morning and after lunch. It's good to get some air and move around. And sometimes I find the solution to a problem while thinking about it while walking - the brain approaches it differently when you're not staring at it on the screen.
Don't spend all your time on the computer. Read, get a hobby, exercise (I alternate between gym-ish exercises and yoga). Basically, get your mind off programming.
Thanks a lot for a detailed answer.. will follow these. π
These are some of the things that have helped me:
Exercise; If I don't exercise regularly, I feel like crap, and I'm less productive and more stressed.
Try and socialize regularly.
Do other stuff apart from programming, like painting, create music, listen to it... this can stimulate the brain in different ways and help you be a better programmer.
Eat well and healthy, don't take to many stimulants.
Thanks π
20 years dev here. A few thing I must do in oder to stay healthy. I need to walk 20-30 minutes per day minimum, if I donβt do that I get terrible back ache. In a good week I workout 2-3 times with fairly heavy weights and I do yoga 1-2 times, I should do cardio a few times a week but I never do. Side projects are also something I do to keep the learning flowing. Being comfortable at your desk is important but it means different things for different people. ANC headphones allows me to focus and block out the noise of the office. 2-3 liters of water per day plus several tea and coffees, that also helps by making you take more toilet breaks. I often take an extra walk once in the middle of the day just 10 mins near my office. My favorite apps, calm radio, daily yoga, Fitbod.
Great answer. Thank you π
Stay off the carbs, keep your sugar low. No need to spike your insulin while sitting all day.
I think this is so true, a huge change in human lifestyle... less active jobs and foods with much higher sugar content. I actually fast quite often now and just eat at the end of the day... feels great to not have that after lunch crash.
Well said. In the Yogic systems, it is recommended to eat only when hungry. So even twice a day or atleast an 8 hour gap between meals is the best schedule.
I personally eat only twice a day, mostly at 11am and 7pm.
It's been years since I took in white sugar, milk or aereated drinks.
Most of the foods ( the popular ones too ) are all unhealthy. Even that brands that we tend to trust, are unhealthy ( refer to the ingredients before consuming )
Some of these are things people have already suggested, but here goes:
There's so many other things which could go on this list, but remember not just to focus on your physical wellbeing. Mental health is just as important. Possibly even more so, as if you're in a bad place mentally you may not feel the need to look after yourself physically. Mental health is overlooked far too often, which can lead to awful consequences for all involved.
Great answer in detail. Thank you
In addition to all suggestions here, more important is to maintain a proper sleep pattern. Avoiding coffee very late in the evening helps in this as well.
Definitely.. agreed. Thanks.
I'm a Vegan, so anyways I don't take in milk or caffiene.
Eat well (according to your goal)
Exercise
Drink water
breathe
Thank you π
Exercising regularly, doing this outside of programming( if you don't like anything else then just go for a walk). Know it is okay to take a long break.
Great! Thanks π
I think taking breaks to do some stretching is fine
Okay thanks