How to Rest as a Developer? 5 Easy Ways for Intentional Rest

Why is rest so important in a developer's lifestyle?

Do you take a break because you're out of energy?

Or do you do it intentionally as part of a healthy lifestyle?

It's the lack of work-life balance that causes burnout, even among programmers. Free time and rest are essential to stimulate creativity and find new solutions.

According to Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, an experienced physician, researcher and speaker from the US, there are 7 types of rest. Physical, mental, sensory, creative, emotional, social and spiritual rest are necessary to recharge our batteries. 

In this article, we focus on 5 steps that are particularly important when working with code. Take a deep breath and read along 😊

Step One: Physical Rest

Sleep is rest for the body, but that's not the only reason it's important. It also helps us consolidate knowledge, embrace creativity, and regulate our emotions. Make sure you get at least 8 hours of sleep a night to keep yourself healthy and at best mental state.

Extra points for: Physical activity such as stretching or yoga

Read more about why sleeping is so important for developers in our previous blog post Power of Sleep for Developers.

Step Two: Mental Rest

When we are under the influence of the hustle culture, it feels like we have to be productive all the time. But in reality, our mind stays in shape when we give it a break. Find time to do things just for fun that don't require too much concentration.

Extra points for: Reading books unrelated to work, taking a walk, meditating

Step Three: Sensory Rest

Maybe you already know the feeling of overstimulation, when your body can’t process any more information from the outside. To prevent this, calm your senses and unplug from time to time. Stop scrolling. Try to take a break from stimuli like screens, lights, or noise.

Extra points for: Spending time in nature, digital detox, mindfulness

Step Four: Emotional Rest

Workplace stress, toxic environments, and micromanagement are things that take a toll on you emotionally. At their worst, they can lead to burnout, depression, and other health problems. Check your emotional state regularly and try to improve the draining factors. Spend time with close friends and family, and don't hesitate to ask for help when you need it.

Extra points for: Spending quality time alone, journaling, attending therapy sessions

Step Five: Creative Rest

This means developing your creativity, which is related to each of the steps above. You can find a new hobby that helps you get away from work or use tools you already know.

In the Stack Overflow 2022 Developer Survey, nearly 80% of developers said that their employer gives them time to learn new skills. Despite this, many developers still code after work, treating it as a hobby.

Extra points for: Making art, trying something new, daydreaming

5 more tips for better work-life balance

• To reduce stress, use relaxation training. Breathing exercises, body scanning and Jacobson's relaxation technique are some examples to start with.
• Maintain healthy sleep hygiene for better physical rest. Set regular bedtime and wake-up times, and avoid caffeine and blue light in the evening. Relaxing before bed will also help you get a good night's sleep.
• If you feel mentally overloaded, do a digital detox to cut out unnecessary noise.
• Try to make a clear distinction between work and home. Do it in terms of location (e.g. a dedicated office) and time (clear working hours) - to stop feeling like you're working 24/7.
• Treat rest with intention. Don't just take a break when you don't have the energy to do other things - plan it into your schedule

Conclusion

Hopefully, you now have a better understanding of how to take a break to boost your creativity and energy. If you are interested in learning more about developer wellness, check out our other blog posts.

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