Right-click, DELETE.
Days of hard work were gone in an instant.
My heart sank as I watched the senior dev remove my code from a project that was behind schedule.
A younger, less mindful version of myself, would’ve allowed this experience to send me spiraling — with the only solution being a junk food binge.
Luckily for my stress levels (and my waistline), I’ve learned to use the ancient art of Zen mindfulness to deflect these panic-inducing moments.
Learning to breathe through stressful situations while practicing non-attachment is the key ingredient to this approach.
There’s no way around it — programming is going to be a stressful experience. Dealing with the constant pressure to meet deadlines, finding solutions to new problems, and managing client expectations while keeping up with ever-changing technology is enough to push the most level-headed developers to the edge.
In this article, we’ll explore how you can apply mindfulness to coding, including tips for reducing stress, breathing exercises to help calm your mind, and techniques for accepting when your code isn’t working.
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Everything Old Is New Again
The practice of Zen mindfulness, also known as sitting meditation, has its roots in Buddhist tradition and has been practiced for thousands of years.
Zen, which originated in China in the 6th century, focuses on the practice of mindfulness as a means of attaining inner peace and clarity. The practice of Zen meditation involves sitting in a specific posture, focusing on the breath, and observing the mind without judgment. This practice leads to increased self-awareness, a sense of inner calm, and the ability to simply be in the moment.
In the 20th century, mindfulness gained popularity in western cultures, with many people turning to the practice as a way to reduce stress, improve mental clarity, and enhance overall well-being.
Today, mindfulness continues to gain acceptance as standard practice:
According to a 2017 U.S. survey, the percentage of adults who practiced some form of mantra-based meditation, mindfulness meditation, or spiritual meditation in the previous 12 months tripled between 2012 and 2017, from 4.1 percent to 14.2 percent. — NCCIH.gov
Practicing mindfulness while coding is relatively new, but something that’s been gaining attention in recent years as developers search for ways to manage stress in a world that’s become increasingly reliant on the technology we create.
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Letting Go of Code
One of the hardest obstacles I’ve overcome as a developer is learning to let go of my code. After countless hours of debugging and digging through pages of documentation finding that solution can feel like striking gold.
Watching your hard work go down the drain can be extremely disheartening. It’s human nature to become attached — but becoming too attached is a recipe for disaster.
So, how can you learn to say goodbye to your code?
Non-Attachment
In Buddhist philosophy, non-attachment is a belief that letting go of your attachment to material possessions, emotions, and desires will lead to reduced suffering and inner peace. Non-attachment is based on recognizing that all things in life are impermanent and constantly changing — just like code.
Non-attachment isn’t about rejecting or avoiding these feelings, but rather about finding a sense of equanimity, where we acknowledge the nature of impermanence and learn to accept it without becoming overly attached to any one thing or idea.
By letting go of permanence and practicing non-attachment, you’ll be able to appreciate your code for what it is — nothing more than pixels on a screen.
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Dealing with Stress
It’s essential to create a routine that allows you to practice mindfulness. Taking regular breaks will give your mind a chance to recover while preventing burnout.
Here are four useful ways to develop mindful habits:
Breathe: Learning to breathe properly is an effective way to reduce stress and improve focus, making it an important skill to learn. In his book “Breath,” James Nestor explores the science and history of breathing and how it can impact our physical and mental health. An excellent technique to try is “box breathing,” where you inhale for a count of four, hold for a count of four, exhale for a count of four, and hold for a count of four before beginning again.
Prioritize self-care: Make time for self-care activities such as exercise, meditation, or spending time with loved ones. Taking care of your physical and emotional well-being will help to reduce stress and improve your overall quality of life.
Set realistic goals: Rather than trying to tackle everything at once, break your work into manageable tasks and set SMART goals for each.
Get Support: Don’t be afraid to ask for help from co-workers, mentors, or friends when you’re feeling stressed. Talking through your challenges with someone else can help you gain a fresh perspective and find new solutions. There are plenty of online resources that offer counseling and therapy if you don’t have a support group nearby.
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Accept When Your Code Isn’t Working
There’s nothing more frustrating and demotivating than when your code isn’t working. Learning to accept this reality is an important part of adopting a Zen approach to coding.
It’s important to realize that failure is an inevitable part of the coding process. No matter how skilled or experienced you are, there will always be times when your code doesn’t work as expected. The first step is accepting this reality, only then can you start to appreciate this opportunity for what it truly is — growth.
To cultivate acceptance in your coding practice, try to shift your mindset from perfectionism to growth. Instead of viewing mistakes as failures, see them as opportunities to improve. Celebrate the small victories along the way, and recognize that great progress is made through trial and error.
Instead of fixating on whether your code is working or not, try to enjoy the act of coding itself. Embrace the challenge of problem-solving and allow yourself to get lost in the process. By taking this mindful approach you can reduce stress and create a sense of joy in your work, no matter the outcome.
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Summary
Adopting a Zen approach to coding will help manage stress while cultivating a positive attitude. Learning to let go of your code, whether it’s working or not, will reduce the emotional impact it has while allowing for the greatest opportunities for growth.
The benefits of using mindfulness with your coding practice will not only increase productivity but promote an overall healthy lifestyle. Remember to breathe and use the techniques we discussed in this article the next time your code ends up in the recycle bin.