16 Unsurprising & Surprising Tips on Developer Self-Care

Learn how to pace yourself to deliver high output without wearing your mind thin.

Take advantage of unlimited PTO if you have it. Studies have shown that when individuals who take periodic breaks from weightlifting performed the same as those who took no break. I don't think our minds are too different from our muscles.

Are you doing the developer work that you are gifted for? Coding teams require tactical work (e.g. building features for a product) and strategic work (e.g. designing architecture). Usually, you'll receive a mental boost when you align your work closer to your gifts.

Do you have a friend who does something similar to you but is not a coworker? Give them a call, or even better, get coffee with them. It is refreshing to talk about your work with someone who gets it but also is out of your work orbit.

Are you following developer trends, newsletters, blogs, etc.? It may seem counterintuitive but building your craft for the sake of your craft (not a product) can be restful.

Are you vocalizing any concerns or question with your teammates and managers? You can be directive without being a jerk.

Are you stretching your technical skillsets beyond your day-to-day? Maybe you should read a book on clean code, software philosophy, or staff engineering. It can be refreshing to think of problems that aren't in your peripherals.

Code something that is fun for the sake of being fun, not making a profit. This one is especially hard for the visionary in me, but again, seeing out a little bit outside of your peripherals through learning or action is helpful.

Read something tangentially related to the engineer side of your brain that fuels a separate interest. For me, this would be something like a book on baseball analytics.

How are you stewarding your income? Yes, that includes making wise financial decisions--but, it also means spending your money in light of a greater vision. Write out a vision for how you may use the fruit of your labor.

Do you have a vision for your career as a developer? If not, the grind of work takes on an excessive load. It is only natural and right to have something to which we are progressing towards, and coding is no exception. If you are unsure, talk with a manager or a mentor. If you have neither, seek your advice online.

Work with your hands. It is a maxim that those who work with their hands rest best with their minds, and those who work with their minds rest best with their hands. The point isn't to pick one over the other but to healthfully incorporate both into your life. Perhaps this could look like backyard beekeeping, square foot gardening, or rice farming.

Intentionally avoid some automation. I could automate cutting my grass. I could get one of those new robot mowers, or I could pay a teenager in my neighborhood to automate the mowing process. But, the truth is that mowing is very relaxing to me, and so, I don't automate it. It's hard for engineers sometimes to think this way, but calculated acceptance of manual processes has its merit.

Study the past. As developers, we can be caught in the hustle and bustle of the latest technologies, trends, and happenings. It is only fitting that a pause from this will be restful. Pick up a book that takes you to the past. Last year, I took a break by reading Up From Slavery by Booker T. Washington.

Shake up your routine. I recently listened to a book called Adventuring Together: How to Create Connections and Make Lasting Memories with Your Kids. I found it interesting how the other makes a case for spontaneity, and yet, also talks of the importance of family traditions. So, which is it? Routine is the foundation, and spontaneity with intention can be energizing. It is good to have a consistent work routine, but you can also be helpful to intentionally have aspects of your week where you shake things up. Working from home, I have some days where I mow or water the garden for a work break, work from a hammock, and/or work from a coffee shop to sprinkle some change to the week.

It is a maxim that thankfulness lightens the heart. Well, are you recording your thanks for the aspects of your work?