@djlink
Was really hoping for a 6th off by one tip. 😋

@djlink
Neurons are chemical factories and if you think too hard for a prolonged period of time, the chemical balance of parts of them seems to be affected. It feels like they are inflamed.

I not only take breaks throughout the day, I even take breaks for weeks or months, when I feel, it is needed (and I can afford it).

It feels, like all the inflammations have to heal first. And then I am back to my old efficiency.

@djlink
Use the mouse less, avoid switching between mouse and keyboard. Learn the shortcuts of your tools and OS.

@djlink
Use the mouse less, avoid switching between mouse and keyboard. Learn the shortcuts of your tools and OS.

@djlink
Yeah, ok..
*writes 52+ games a year, hunched over a laptop, sat on the couch*

@djlink Goes for anyone at a desk I would argue. Coding or not.

Wisdom!

Do you have a chair recommendation or what did you look for when you found it?

@djlink Very true, especially raising monitor and going a bit slower gets far better results.

@djlink This is my motto for my quilting. Wish I paid attention more often! 😊

@djlink Totally agree on all points, would love a recommendation for a good chair though; can never seem to get a good fit, currently using a an IKEA Markus which isn’t holding up well nowadays

@djlink and get your eyes tested regularly?

@djlink I have been coding for 50 years and I will say that these tips are excellent.

Here's one of mine: If you are sitting at the keyboard and find yourself wondering, "What should this code be doing?" then you are in the wrong place.

@djlink I've been coding for nearly 40 years, and I couldn't agree more! One thing I'd add: find the right keyboard. Getting the right resistance and response can really relieve stress, both physical and emotional. And that's going to be different for everyone.

@djlink - works for most work in an office 😁

@djlink and get out of the building during lunchtime. See some trees and touch some grass. Makes your code after lunch so much better.

@djlink I’d add ‘get enough sleep’ to the list. Everything’s harder when you’re tired.

@djlink Good tips but I can't stop thinking about that dangling asterisk footnote that isn't attached to anything.

@djlink @smallsco perfect list. I’d just add go to therapy (even if you think you have no problem at the moment)

@djlink don't wait if wrist pain starts. I got it seen to very quickly and had a year of needing braces (due to financial circumstances I couldn't take time off) then, with a good ergonomic keyboard and mouse and after unrelated surgery forced a month break I rarely needed the braces.

@djlink I'll add one:

Take a break.

So, many problems get solved when you stop working on them.

@djlink
Appendix:

- Learn an assembly or machine language

@djlink I didn't start getting RSI complaints until I stopped smoking, which meant I no longer got up from my computer to walk to the smoking area, and just continued working

@djlink I've been +20 years and a would add a good screen (HD, 4k better but at least 60Hz), a mechanical keyboard and a vertical mouse.

All that you said is absolutely true 👍

@djlink

I love the contrast of your advice to LinkedIn's hustle culture. Yours are all basically about taking care of your body and mind. ❤️

@djlink Back in graduate school, I established a personal rule that I would never program past 10:00PM. A number of colleagues suggested that this limited this productivity, but I learned that any code written that late would almost certainly be torn out and rewritten when viewed with fresh coffee in the light of a new day, so you may as well just stop early.

@djlink it cannot be expressed in words how personally I took this 😳

@djlink tiny add: sleep. Don’t try to stay up late to “have more leisure time”. Being well rested makes it easier to solve hard problems *and* the leisure time you have is more enjoyable.

@djlink
Also great advice for Dispatch like me.

@djlink add “get enough sleep” and that’s the perfect list

@djlink I'd add "close your editor and use a pen and paper to plan difficult problems sometimes"

@djlink hourly shot of whisky helps

@djlink

Been coding for more than twice that, and I must say, you lost me with the "no slouching" nonsense.

There's nothing wrong with slouching. Ignore what you're mother told you. If you enjoy hunching over a monitor and letting the world disappear to a multi-hour coding session, keep it up.🙂

https://carlynbeccia.medium.com/research-finds-slouching-isnt-bad-for-your-back-9a8b879d2023

@djlink I would like to add that for carpal tunnel prevention, frequent a gym a few times a week.

@djlink and get standing desk

@djlink I had to get rid of the chair most of the time, get a good chair or get rid of your lower back 🤣 (and the chair i have is a funky stool which wont sit still)

@djlink Exercise is a great way to keep your brain juices flowing.

@djlink
May I add to turn on the light when it's dark outside?

If you work in the evening, look into programs that filter blue light.

@djlink @Alyzande Can confirm. Been coding for 35 years without doing these things and I'm a physical wreck.

@djlink @dexter

- embrace your inner neuroticism
- let your legs shake
- stand up and pace
- while thinking
- or in meetings
- bluetooth headset
- drink more water
- read documentation on the toilet
- while peeing
- take your phone

@djlink I guess a standing desk and ergonomic keyboard are also high on the list.
Empty working memory, if WFH separate the spaces.

@djlink Great advice! Something that has helped me and haven't seen mentioned in the comments yet:

- When taking a break, go outside. Just a 5 minute walk around the block can often work wonders

@djlink I'd say playing/fooling around is also important but your tips are way more important

@djlink Document generously in your code. Your future self will need it.

@djlink I just realized I slouch in my chair because my monitors are too low. I can't lower my chair cause I'll get carpal tunnel.

I think I'll work on raising my monitors.

@djlink Also: make sure you always use the same keyboard. Get a mobile one if you switch workplaces frequently. You'll curse far lees at mistyprs.

@djlink also, seriously, you write better code while going for a brisk walk around the outside of the building than one ever does sitting at one's desk. If you're really struggling with a thorny problem, go for a walk.

@djlink @smallsco I’d add, don’t buy into trends for the sake of trends. I see so many saying “you have to do it this way” and the only motivation they have is anger if you disagree.

Be influenced and learn from others, but always figure out *why* you like something or not yourself.

@djlink At one time I suffered from Repetitive Strain, could hardly use the mouse for more than a few minutes without serious discomfort. A colleague suggested instead of sitting upright to try slouching in chair ... I thought ppffft yeah right, but gave it a shot anyway as couldn't go on like that. It worked, within a couple of weeks had gone completely. Go figure.

@djlink I gotta work on that water part. And my code is never done!! :-)

@djlink

Started with COBOL 35 years ago, then C on a VAX, sat round the mainframe generating ascii pictures printed out on the line printer. None of this was a thing and it was called programming. Welcome to 2022.

@djlink some of your best solves are likely to be while out walking or in the shower. Let your brain tick over while doing other things.

@djlink purchase yourself a rubber duck 🦆

@djlink Been coding for ~24 years and cannot add a thing to this masterpiece of technical advice.

Remember, if you walk briskly for 15 minutes you'll experience a 20 minute cognitive boost, during which all previously impossible bugs will unknot themselves before your all-seeing mind. Promise.

@djlink raise your monitor height is such a gem!!

i love being a cafe coder but so so many people have such awful ergonomics, it just hurts being near to them.

@djlink Been coding for ~35 years, and can 100% verify. Trust us, kids.

@djlink My "good chair", that I bring to my job, is a small $25.00 steno chair.
No arms, and it scoots around my cube easily. No full-body wrassling to get it to move around the cubicle and I can sit on it sideways if that is convenient.

Your Good Chair doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg.

@djlink I’m not a full time coder these days. But best advice I got now a few decades ago from a coworker was to go take a walk by the river - a little physical activity and a short walk (especially with some nature) is really helpful and a great way to reset and com back fo work challenges with fresh eyes (also good before sending a too quick response to something online)

@djlink These are very good tips. I learned late in my career that a good standing desk or podium is 100% worth it and not theater. Also, one thing that took my quite some time to learn is that a "good chair" is not necessarily a chair with a ton of features or good looks, but one that enforces good posture regardless of configuration.