To be a good programmer, you need to solve complex problems, continuously learn and adapt to new technologies, and develop yourself daily. This can be a strenuous task if you are not very experienced. Moreover, you may seem to lose interest and sometimes experience mental fatigue leading to programming burnout. With tight deadlines and never-ending office hours; burnouts can be both emotional and physical. In this article, we have listed down five ways to deal with programming burnout and live a fulfilling life.
5 ways to prevent burnout from coding
Here are some easy and simple tips on how to prevent burnout in programming:
1) Use good tools
Using a good suite of tools, based on your own needs, can make your life as a programmer easier. For example, knowing some keyboard shortcuts, tech hacks, etc., will save you a ton of time and make you more efficient. Moreover, using suitable tools and updated versions of the software will make your day less tedious, reducing the chances of a programming burnout.
2) Sharpen your mental acuity
Each individual is different. While some might be able to work 18 hours a day, some might lose their mental focus within 9 hours. You need to set your work limits and focus on improving your mental acuity. It may sound obvious, but very few programmers understand that mental acuity can lead to programming burnout. Now that you know about this, practice some proven tips to improve mental acuity, and get your focus on track.
3) Keep your physical health in check
Sitting at your desk and staring at the computer screen throughout is a challenging task. Not only is it unhealthy, but it also makes you feel lethargic. This eventually causes resentment, and you resort to snacks and coffee to overcome it. While this is an excellent short-term fix, it creates a bunch of problems in the long run. Hence, you should opt for healthy food and add a daily schedule for physical activities to keep you energetic throughout your work.
4) Try new things
Although there is a high demand for programmers, this might still be a reason to burn them out quickly because there will be a lot of new work coming in their specialization. And doing the same job every day can be pretty exhausting. The solution is to set aside some time to learn new things and experiment with new technologies outside your work. This will give you a much-needed break from your work life, and also boost your productivity.
5) Encourage work breaks
Programming is a highly cognitive job which causes brain fog and eye strain. Sitting in front of the computer for long hours is one of the most common mistakes that can adversely affect your work performance. Hence, it is always good to take short breaks to clear your head and recharge yourself. Be it a 5-minute walk to a quick nap; include breaks in between your work to get an improved focus.
Takeaways
There is no sure shot cure for burnout because every programmer works differently. Nevertheless, the tips listed above are some of the most effective ways to save you from programming burnout. All these habits take time to form and will not show tremendous impact in a day, but it will help you feel better and perform better at your work.