Hacker News Reader

Comment by dood | Hacker News Reader

The greatest ally of the programmer: getting off your ass.

After a little back pain, I made a few changes which make me feel a whole lot better generally, and make it much easier to get and stay in 'the zone':

- take breaks regularly

- stand up when not operating the computer

- stretch whenever you remember

- walk about

- exercise daily (as much or as little as you feel like)

These simple measures quickly become more of a joy than a chore, and will protect from back pain, RSI, hemorrhoids, fatigue, and probably a bunch of other nasty things that creep up on you.

View on HN

Another really simple thing you can do is walk around while you're thinking. I know you probably incorporate this into "stand up when not operating the computer," but it bears repeating and emphasizing. Not only does it get you away from your keyboard and chair, it also helps stimulate the thought process.

When I'm on the phone with clients, I will stand/walk around my basement for two reasons; it gives me a break from sitting and I can talk loud without interrupting others who are working or kids who may be napping. I have a computer in the basement where I can browse whilst on the phone, with no chair so I don't get sucked into anything. (P.S. I'm typing this standing up)

A few years back I had forearm/wrist issues on my mouse hand. Some simply adjustments in my posture (Hint: don't waste money on an expensive chair) was enough to stop the pain. The icing on the cake was working for myself. Instead of 8 solid hours in front of the PC clicking around, I now have 100 things to do in the day, only 25 of which may be actual development. The end result is more time away from the machine and less pain which means a potentially longer career.

>take breaks regularly

>exercise daily

This.

I actually bought a recumbent exercise bike which sits next to my home office desk. I've mounted a touch screen LCD in place of the "normal" trip computer and it's hooked up to a netbook.

That way, when I feel like my mind is wandering while working, I can take a break and peddle and surf the web/watch something.

It's not lost time that way, just re-purposed.

Agreed. One of the very best decisions I've ever made in my life was to go car-free (which is unfortunately not an option for most Americans :( ). So my commutes don't involve sitting, but walking. If you have the option to give up your car, do it.

I had three different therapies for my back (exercise machines, acupuncture and something that hammered the muscles so they would relax, does not hurt as much as it sounds but it hurts) they all lasted for a few month. Two Years ago I started going to work by bike (7km). Doing that every workday has kept the back problems away ever since. I just hope I can keep that up the rest of my (work-)life. Though a shower at work would be nice. Not so much for me but my colleagues :-)

I can still hear podcasts while biking so I don't "loose" the time. Public transportation would take the same amount of time and is more expensive.

I guess it's a bit dangerous listening to podcasts while biking, isn't it?

The second greatest: the bran muffin.

Too many people seem ignorant of the strain => hemorrhoid connection.

How does that work? Supposedly a bran muffin is high in fiber which would help digestion and prevent constipation.

I do all of that and have still been afflicted with most of those problems.

A chair really can make all the difference. I was having severe back problems until I bought a Steelcase Think. My problems went away overnight. Every chair won't work for every person. I suggest that you buy a good chair, try it for a week, then return it if you don't get great results. Repeat until you're successful. Good luck.

Get a split desk and spend part of your work time not on your tush.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com