When we are spending many hours staring at a screen writing code, trying to understand computer languages & bugs & getting square eyes it can become so easy to become un-productive.

Taking regular breaks, can actually increase productivity.

Programming can lead us into bad habits, poor concentration elsewhere from the computer & an unhealthy lifestyle. Well it doesn’t have to be that way.

Mental Health Care

As programmers, our brains go through a lot each day. We are like olympians, you just can’t see our muscles! Our brains often hurt at the end of the day, we put our heads through a lot. So just like any muscle in the body, after we exercise, we look after that achy flesh, by massage techniques, stretching etc. Except we don’t really do much to help our brains in the same way. Mental health is just as important as physical health. So whether you utilise meditation, art therapy or even talking your day out with someone, don’t forget to look after your mental health. Goes without saying to look after your physical health too. Eat well, eat veggies, get exercise & keep hydrated. It’s easy for us to forget to look after ourselves with the hyper-focus on code.

Taking breaks

Yes I am a guilty person too of thinking breaks are for whimps…but truly the best productivity hack any programmer worth their salt could give you is to take that break. Get up, stretch your legs, try to get some fresh air even if it’s by a window for 5 minutes, talk your programming problems aloud (yes it truly works, even if you talk to yourself) & go back to your code.

I guarantee you, you will not just be more productive, but your programming skills will grow better, your problem solving skills will get better & your eyes will stop burning out of your skull! Try to take a 5 minute break every hour. It is truly a hack.

Journalling & Note Taking

Not everyone is into journalling, but I can definitely recommend getting into it. Nowadays with all the technology available to use, it is super in-expensive to try out digitally too. Not only can writing things down help you plan your day or week. Making all those tasks a whole lot smaller by dividing them up but writing down all you have achieved, all that maybe went wrong & the lessons learnt can really help clear your mind. This is super important for programmers. If we start the next day with our head filled with yesterdays stuff or indeed trying to remember all the things we need to get done then how can we be productive at all on the moment right here, right now?

Music

Use sounds that suit you, whether that be white noise, neurodivergent music, classical, or some head bangers. It doesn’t matter what music or noise you choose. As long as it suits your personality & helps you get into your programming groove. Music can help activate both sides of your brain. Thus improving your concentration, helping you be your very best programmer self.

Keep your space looking awesome

Your desk, your sofa, your office…wherever you program, make sure the space is aesthetically nice, pleasant & inviting. Make sure everywhere around you is clean & tidy. You don’t need to spend any money. Just keep things clean, tidy your bits away, grab some of whatever you collect to drop around your space every now and again. Changing up that collectible can help remind you to give your space a dust & tidy through. Having a nice space, wherever yours maybe truly is a nice feeling that brings a essence of calmness & control. Meaning your concentration & productivity will be focused on the programming task in hand.