[thelist] Coder's Health Tips.

One of the strengths of this list is the sheer technical knowledge of 
the members. For the most part you all outrank me in terms of skill, 
so here are tips about things *I* know I'm good at.

<tip type="health management" author="Frank Marion>

So you code, eh? Got a pretty sharp brain? Make sure you keep your 
body up to par! The healthier your body, the clearer your mind, the 
more comfortable you will be as you sit down to code.

</tip>

<tip type="health management" author="Frank Marion>

Got sore neck muscles from being hunched over at your computer? If 
you go to the  gym, do shrugs. Insta-cure. No gym? No problem! Grab a 
couple of large milk/water containers with handles (anything heavy 
will do), fill them to the brim. Keeping your hands (with jugs) at 
the side, lift your shoulders as high as you can. (DON'T scrunch your 
neck down!) Repeat the "I don't know" motion until it feels warm. (If 
you pay attention, you'll notice the motion *starts* in the middle of 
your back) Take a minute break. Do this three times and feel that 
head ache disappear! Total elapsed time? About 7 minutes, tops.

</tip>

<tip type="health management" author="Frank Marion>

Followup to the Shrug tip: How to properly stretch your back.

1) Stand Straight, pretend that someone is lifting you by the hair of 
your scalp.

2) Touch your chin to your neck, if you can. (If you can't, start here!)

3) Gently and slowly curl over (like a piece of paper), let your arms 
hang, don't push them forward, make sure you keep your knees gently 
bent. Do this motion gently until the back of your head touches the 
ground. Hold for a count of about 20, then uncurl as slowly and 
gently. If it feels good (and it takes time, go slow!) you're doing 
it right. If it it genuinely hurts, you're pushing too fast.

This will stretch every posterior muscle, from the top of your scalp 
to your heels. Result? You'll feel great.

</tip>

<tip type="health management" author="Frank Marion>

We all know the image of the professional geek: 18 hour days, living 
on cola and pizza. Break that habit! Feed yourself well, sleep ON 
SCHEDULE, take days off. Your productivity (and joy!) will increase.

</tip>

<tip type="sales" author="Frank Marion>

If you look healthy, subliminally, you increase your credibility with 
your clients. Would *you* hire someone who looks pale, anemic, worn 
out and frazzled? Clients don't buy geeks, they buy smart people who 
get the job done.

</tip>


<tip type="health management" author="Frank Marion>

Feeling tired? Can't focus? Remember to BREATH! Sounds obvious? Deep 
breathing comes from the bottom of your belly, not your chest. If you 
find you need to clear your mind, walk AWAY from your monitor. Find a 
quiet place and take 25 as-deep-and-slow-as-you-can breaths. Stretch 
a bit. Now go back to work. Nice difference, eh?

</tip>

<tip type="health management" author="Frank Marion>

I don't know about you, but coffee does NOT pick me up. It makes me 
stupid and dull minded. I keep a couple of litre bottles of water by 
me at all times. For some reason it helps. And having to get up and 
pee once an hour saves me from RSI! <g>

</tip>


<tip type="misc" author="Frank Marion>

The obvious is often the solution.

</tip>

--
Frank Marion,
Loofah Communications;
framar@interlog.com
http://www.loofahcom.com