Every programmer wants to produce great, bug free source code. Its not because of pride, but we tend to be perfectionists and after carefully planning our application, its expected to work well. A well designed application depends on the quality of source code and the planning behind the architecture of the software. While being knowledgeable in software development is important here, it takes more than that to produce well written software.

A key ingredient that is often missing in a programmer’s life is good health. The sedentary profession and poor diet that goes with it results in a standard of health that is typical in first world countries, which is mediocre health. The favourite food in the IT industry are pizzas, fast food, and soft drinks. In other words, lots of saturated fats and sugars.

Software developers and other workers in information technology fields rely heavily on problem solving. This requires a great deal of thinking. The mind works better when it is healthy and has the appropriate fuel to drive it. Coffee, pizza, french fries, and smoking is not something which helps the thought processes. Eating raw fruit and vegetables, drinking lots of water, and exercising fuels a healthy body.

There is another factor which would help software development. That is, a healthy mind. This isn’t the physical aspect of it, but a spiritual one. You can think better when you have are at peace with yourself and your surroundings, and have a clear conscience. Guilt and anger hinder the thought processes involved with programming.

Laughter is also important with maintaining good health. Laughing boosts the immune system, reduces stress, and lowers blood pressure. According to Dr. Michael Miller, director of the Center for Preventative Cardiology at the University of Maryland Medical Centre,

The old saying that ‘laughter is the best medicine’, definitely appears to be true when it comes to protecting your heart … We don’t know yet why laughing protects the heart, but we know that mental stress is associated with impairment of the endothelium, the protective barrier lining our blood vessels. This can cause a series of inflammatory reactions that lead to fat and cholesterol build-up in the coronary arteries and ultimately to a heart attack.

There is a symbiotic relationship between the mind and body. A healthy mind leads to a healthy body, and unhealthy mind can compromise your physical health.

Software developers need to take the time to acquire a health sense. This will not only result in producing better software, but the quality of life will also be improved.

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