How a programmer can cope with fatigue and tension.
Tags: programmer, cope
Published: 2021-04-13 14:07:23

Often, a modern programmer works at a high level of abstraction, using the mechanisms of object-oriented programming, reusing complex libraries. You need to keep in mind a lot of dependencies, take into account conflicts. In addition to writing code, a specialist must also perform parallel tasks (refactoring; tests; communication with internal and external customers, in the end).

All this translates into the fact that the developer makes important decisions at literally every stage of their work. Decisions on which, often, a lot depends. From immediate consequences (extra time is spent on correcting the consequences of an unsuccessful decision) to far-reaching (for example, such a chain: due to a wrong decision, too much time was spent on a project, deadlines were disrupted, you were deprived of bonuses, vacation plans changed).

There are also less noticeable effects of fatigue in the workplace. Tired people, regardless of industry and profession, often become aggressive. Nobody wants to work with a “toxic” employee, because quality interaction in such a situation does not work. Executives also dislike “toxic” employees and, in the end, may decide to fire. Or freeze the increase.

**Impact on health**
Every major decision is exhausting for the programmer. Both mentally and physically. You all know this feeling when you come home after a busy day with the feeling that you have unloaded a couple of carriages of coal.

The effect of fatigue can creep out anywhere: problems with sleep or memory, decreased intelligence (it is difficult to focus on the task, mental activity is difficult), headache, even problems in bed.

The problem is that if you start to feel good, full of energy and ready for new achievements, this does not mean at all that your body has recovered.

When I was discussing the topic of this post with friends, a parallel arose with RPG games. Each developer has a certain set of manna, which is depleted when he makes some decisions. Manna knows how to recover (independently and with the use of some means), but if it is not enough, there comes a moment of physical danger to your character. Mobs just start eating it. For more details on [how to deal with fatigue for programmers](https://www.bystudin.com/anti-fatigue-protection-for-programmers/), see this article.

**What to do? № 1**
The most important conclusion that I made for myself is that you need to be able to be distracted and not do important work throughout the day. You can disassemble documents or do some other easier task. Let it not be a priority, but its implementation will create a situation: it seems that some work has been done, and you rested.

Moreover, you need to start resting in this way not when you are tired beyond nowhere, but before that moment. How to catch this moment - I have no idea, so I just give myself a break every hour and a half. I can't say that it helps me a lot, but it certainly doesn't make it worse.

Doctors advise consuming a lot of sugar - it helps the brain. But here is a double-edged sword: if there is a lot of sugar, then you need to increase physical activity. While the summer is warm, it is easy and pleasant, but in the winter it is insanely lazy to do physical activity for me personally.

However, it must be admitted that playing sports has an extremely fruitful effect on well-being. Changing your activity is truly the best way to relax. At the same time, a good solution would be if the type of change in activity does not require eye strain - two birds with one stone in one shot.

For example, I try to walk at least ten thousand steps a day. It doesn't always work, but I really try. I don't go to the nearest bank now, I take a walk. I don’t worry about finding a parking lot closer to the meeting point - you walk for 10-15 minutes several times a day, and my walking plans for the day are fulfilled. In the supermarket, by the way, I usually walk a thousand and a half steps, but I'm not sure if this characterizes me well.

**What to do? № 2**
There are other views on this problem, for example, to change the programming language. At the same time, choose one so that nothing reminds you of your main development tool at all. If you are developing in Java try Python for example. The differences in syntax will allow your brain to stretch out and start enjoying development again. Do this at least for yourself and your own projects.

Every few months I launch such projects, though not always using a new programming language. Most often, I use new bundles of already known technologies - it also allows me to escape from the routine. At the same time, I deliberately do not make them commercial, this is nothing more than entertainment and recreation (or I have not yet come up with the very idea, which is more likely).

It seems to me that Google gives its employees a certain amount of billable hours for their own projects for a reason. Of course, the issue of self-realization of employees is important. Of course, something useful for the company as a whole can grow from such developments. But what is important is that the employee will not "burn out", which means that the company will not lose a useful and expensive resource - the developer.

The excitement of finding a successful and working solution to a problem that you define for yourself (just something more serious hello world, please) will please your brain. Reading new documentation, new forums, new authoritative opinion leaders, unusual platforms for webinars. Up to attending events dedicated to your new hobby, there are solid pluses.

And do not forget that learning another programming language makes you a more competitive specialist, including in your field. Warm-up for the brain, whatever one may say, has never been superfluous.