- Published on
The Role of Physical Exercise in Boosting Mental Health for Developers
- Authors
- Name
- Gary Huynh
- @huynhthienthach
Salutations, tech titans! This is your friendly neighborhood coach, back to pump up your routines with today's topic - The Role of Physical Exercise in Boosting Mental Health for Developers
. We're swapping the keyboards for dumbbells, folks, so let's get physical!
We've all heard the adage, "a healthy body houses a healthy mind", and it's been the subject of extensive scientific scrutiny. Dr. John Ratey, in his book "Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain", emphasizes how physical activity can enhance cognition and boost mental health.
So how does exercise support your work as a developer?
Boosts Brain Power: Research by Hillman et al. showed that physical activity can improve cognition, leading to better problem-solving and coding skills.
Relieves Stress: Working out helps release endorphins, the body's natural mood lifters. So when your code refuses to compile, try taking a quick walk or doing some yoga stretches.
Improves Sleep: Regular exercise can improve sleep quality, according to Kredlow et al. A well-rested developer is a more productive developer!
Promotes Mental Well-being: Physical activity can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, providing a healthier mental environment for tackling those tough coding challenges.
Here are some tips to incorporate physical activity into your routine:
- Short Bursts: Remember, even a few minutes of physical activity can help. Try short breaks for a quick walk or some stretches.
- Schedule Workouts: Just as you plan your tasks and sprints, plan your workouts. Make them a non-negotiable part of your routine.
- Find Your Fit: You don't have to run a marathon. Find a physical activity you enjoy. Could be dancing, cycling, or even a spirited round of ping-pong!
Remember, fellow coders, being a star developer is not just about crunching code. It's about taking care of our minds and bodies too.
Join me next time for an exciting discussion on "Building a Supportive Community: Why Connecting with Other Developers is Vital for Mental Health". Until then, keep flexing those muscles and crushing those bugs!
References
- Ratey, J. J., & Hagerman, E. (2008). Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain. Little, Brown Spark.
- Hillman, C. H., Erickson, K. I., & Kramer, A. F. (2008). Be smart, exercise your heart: exercise effects on brain and cognition. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 9(1), 58-65. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn2298
- Kredlow, M. A., Capozzoli, M. C., Hearon, B. A., Calkins, A. W., & Otto, M. W. (2015). The effects of physical activity on sleep: a meta-analytic review. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 38(3), 427-449. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-015-9617-6
- Schuch, F. B., Vancampfort, D., Firth, J., Rosenbaum, S., Ward, P. B., Silva, E. S., Hallgren, M., Ponce De Leon, A., Dunn, A. L., Deslandes, A. C., Fleck, M. P., Carvalho, A. F., & Stubbs, B. (2018). Physical Activity and Incident Depression: A Meta-Analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 175(7), 631-648. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2018.17111194
- Rebar, A. L., Stanton, R., Geard, D., Short, C., Duncan, M. J., & Vandelanotte, C. (2015). A meta-meta-analysis of the effect of physical activity on depression and anxiety in non-clinical adult populations. Health Psychology Review, 9(3), 366-378. https://doi.org/10.1080/17437199.2015.1022901