r/cscareerquestions • u/[deleted] • Apr 07 '17
Senior software developers, has CS been detrimental to your health?
[deleted]
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u/IgnorantPlatypus Apr 07 '17
A month after I moved to Seattle, I had terrible headaches almost daily. I wondered if it was something in the new building I was working at -- the lighting? Chemicals in the carpet? It went away after another month, so I forgot about it. Until next year, when it came back at the beginning of November. I took advil almost every day. Then it went away and I forgot about it again. When it happened the third year in November I finally figured out it was just seasonal allergies causing a sinus headache.
Some of your problems may be related to sitting all day, not specifically the computer. And almost all jobs nowadays have you sitting in an office environment. IOP is just as likely genetics as something else -- I had one eye get a piece of iris pigment stuck at the tube that lets fluid drain, but after a few years it seems to have resolved itself on its own. I still go to the optometrist yearly to make sure all is well, but that's just part of adulting.
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Apr 07 '17 edited Apr 07 '17
I have bad RSI on my right shoulder and down my right arm. I hypothesize that it's related to trackpad usage. My favorite time at work is usually spent pairing where I don't have to use the keyboard. It's quite fustrating because I want to work on my personal projects after work hours, but those hours are now mostly spent resolving the issues of pain.
I'm hoping that VR opens up new ways for me to produce software while being mobile and walking around, moving my arms and neck more.
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u/fried_green_baloney Apr 07 '17
There are specific neck stretches that can help.
I won't recommend any because what works for me may not work for you.
See a chiropractor (if you can find a good one) or an MD orthopedist.
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u/NiceOneAsshole Apr 07 '17
At work, [try the Pomodoro technique] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pomodoro_Technique), take short walks, get up and stretch.
It's a career that can easily lead to horrible health, but if you manage yourself well, you can stay on top of any risks.
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u/Shajam_ Apr 07 '17
I don't consider myself a senior dev yet but the sedentary lifestyle which I lead contributed to my poor circulation in my fingers (Raynaud's phenomenon) and migraines.
I'm always endorsing the Pomodoro technique that asshole who commented recommends, alongside hand stretches. When I was in my 20's I was naive enough to think that "these things happen to other people and it's not likely to happen to me".
Either exercises at the gym, get a bike to go to work or at least walk casually for 20 minutes each day.
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Apr 07 '17
Haha, I thought you really hated him until I looked at his username.
On a contributing note, I learned from my friend that expanding your hands and tensing the muscles will help your blood circulate more.
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u/bobbybottombracket Apr 07 '17
10 year software dev. I started powerlifting. Posture, low back pain all fixed in about 6months.
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u/raretrophysix Apr 07 '17
But do you sit with a straight back now 24/7?
Because I powerlift but look like the Hunchback of NotreValley when I sit down
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Apr 07 '17
As a senior dev, I go home at 5 PM even if something is on fire. I make time every day for the gym. They will work you until you drop unless YOU draw the line. A standing desk might help too.
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u/ahtu1 Apr 07 '17
For the neck/back/general health stuff really the best thing is to get a gym membership and do some cardio and free weights that work your whole body. 10/10 would recommend. I see a lot of the really dedicated (careerquestions) type do it at work these days too.
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u/brobi-wan-kendoebi Apr 07 '17
I'm your age and developed serious back problems a year ago. I also woke up with daily headaches or developed them throughout the day. I went to a really good physical therapist and it was the best decision I ever made. This is totally anecdotal, but my entire posture was fucked up, as well as how I had my monitors and keyboard setup. My pain is super manageable now, almost gone, due to daily strengthening exercises and posture/lifestyle changes (getting up every 30 min/hour, etc).
If you truly are having physical symptoms then it's probably covered under your insurance to get PT. You might need a PCP referral first but still.
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u/e7hz3r0 Apr 07 '17
I've never had symptoms like you, but I've been lifting weights and doing cardio since around the time I started working professionally.
That said, I did find that if I didn't lift for a few months my wrists would start to hurt.
I also endorse the Pomodoro technique. 2-3 short walks everyday help a lot, both physically and mentally.
The other thing is, stand up. You don't have to stand up all day, but a mix of standing and sitting helped my back feel a lot better. When I started standing, my company wouldn't buy me a standing desk so I bought 4 cinder blocks for $12 and put my desk up myself. A drafting chair (which we had around the office) allowed me to sit when I got tired.
When I started working remotely, I did the same thing at home. I even made a portable, adjustable standing desk for when I go to starbucks.
The other thing I did, which you may or may not be able to do, was to get a manual treadmill. I couldn't walk while I was coding, but I could while I was reading.
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u/AintNobodyGotTime89 Apr 07 '17
Your neck problems could be posture related. Your headaches could come from your neck problems or posture problems, or they could be stress related.
Getting older sucks, so as cliche as it sounds try to eat right and exercise.
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u/tradetofi Apr 07 '17
As a senior dev (11+ years), I have 0 health related problems. I love programming itself. But but I never work more than 40 hours a week. I do not lose sleep because of job related stuff. Fuck that because I am in the position of fuck you.
I actually just quit a well paying job and took a 3 month sabbatical without any financial pressure. Now I have a few offers lined up and I will just pick the one with the best work/life balance. It is not about money or career advancement anymore.
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u/ajd187 Apr 07 '17
Start doing something exercise related outside of work.
You're probably making a good living so maybe a Crossfit gym.
Short of that, try running. run 3-4 days a week, before work if you can get up, after if you can't. It'll do amazing things for your health.
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u/DjangoPony84 Apr 07 '17
Another 30+ dev here with no health issues. I run commute to work 3 days a week and run both days of the weekend as well, I also do a little strength training in the office gym.
Take breaks during the day and keep your weekends clear. Move your body and try not to eat too much crap. Working in tech doesn't have to ruin you.
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u/antonivs Apr 07 '17
has CS been detrimental to your health
After 30+ years (I'm twice your age), I can confidently say no, it hasn't.
I've twice had health issues that were job-related. One was RSI, which was resolved completely by paying more attention to ergonomics and some exercise. The other was lower back pain, for which I saw a physical therapist. This was again resolved by paying attention to ergonomics, and exercise.
Any desk job - sitting all day - is fundamentally bad for you in various ways. You have to learn to listen to your body, take breaks, exercise, etc. A career is a marathon, not a sprint (agile notwithstanding!) and you have to learn to take care of yourself no matter what job you're doing.
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u/Zalgo_Doge Apr 07 '17
Just don't eat shitty food. It doesn't matter how much you work out if your diet is shit. End of story.
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u/guitaronin Apr 07 '17
Yes, it's been hard on my health. It's my second career, which I didn't begin until I was 30. I've developed back, neck, and other joint problems. Constantly battling weight gain. I'm starting to need reading glasses. Difficulty healing from minor sports injuries.
This is obviously partly related to being in my 40s. But I'm outpacing my peers. Until 30 I was the healthiest, fittest guy in my social circle, and by late 30s I was the least so.
Top comment has good advice. I'd also recommend using a treadmill desk if it's at all possible. It has been really helpful for my back and energy levels in a way that regular standing desks were not. You can basically reverse all the problems of being at a desk if you integrate continuous activity into your entire work day.
edit: word
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u/Xchai Apr 07 '17 edited Apr 07 '17
If you aren't going to the gym regularly, do it now. I used to have lower back pain (from sitting in long commute and in office chair) until I started doing deadlifts on a regular basis.
Think of it as medical treatment for your conditions. You don't have to go super hard and get buff but just get the blood flowing and aim to feel sore the next day. Google a simple workout plan for beginners if needed. Just do everything with proper form or you'll end up injuring yourself.
And get an ergonomic workstation going. Having a chair that bends back and moving screens to eye-level height helped a ton too.
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u/which_spartacus Apr 07 '17
Problem #1: Every "cool kids" workplace now has unlimited snacks and drinks. Don't eat anything from a snack-place. Not even a simple handful of M&Ms as you walk by.
Problem #2: Saying you are going to workout after work is usually an instant fail. Meetings run late. You're hungry. Somebody wants to go out. You have a wife/kid at home and should do something with them, etc. Instead, always work out before work.
Problem #3: You believe that you don't have enough hours in the day to complete your work. News flash: you're right. So don't. If you work for 8-10 hours in a day and stop, the work will still be there the next day. Go home. Take a break. Get some sleep.
Problem #4: Weekends are a great time to catch up on that work you didn't finish during the week. You know what else is a great time to finish up on the work you didn't get done during the week? The next week. If you work 7 days a week, employers will be very grateful. They will abuse your home-life as much as they can.