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"The present moment is the only moment available to us, and it is the door to all moments." - Thich Nhat Hanh

Hey Reader,
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​Have you ever stopped to consider the impact of a sedentary lifestyle coupled with workplace stress on your anxiety levels?

As software developers, we often find ourselves sitting for extended periods, glued to our screens, lost in lines of code. The absence of physical activity and neglecting our bodies' need for movement can have significant consequences on our mental health. Without an outlet for stress, the accumulated pressure can lead to serious anxiety episodes, affecting both our personal and professional lives.

Unlike some other professions, where physical exertion can help release stress, our work primarily involves mental strain. Our bodies don't naturally experience the same physical release as, say, a rabbit shaking off stress after a close encounter with a predator.

A good read on this topic is the book: The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk. I highly recommend reading it if you haven't done so yet!

What should we do then?

There are a lot of things that can help you release the stress that has been trapped in your body. But for today, we will focus on just 2, as these should be enough for you to start seeing a change in your daily life!

1. Incorporate Physical Activity: Even if your work keeps you tethered to a desk, find opportunities to introduce physical activity into your routine. Consider taking short breaks for stretching, going for a short walk during lunchtime, or engaging in exercise before or after work. I have been doing the Hybrid Calisthenics Routine for a few years and I highly recommend it!
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2. Practice Mindfulness: Dedicate time each day to practice mindfulness techniques, such as meditation or deep breathing exercises. Mindfulness helps to anchor you to the present moment, allowing you to better manage stress and anxiety. I recommend using a mediation app like Headspace, Waking Up or anything else that works for you! YouTube is also a great place.

As we are approaching the weekend, let's take a deep breath and try to keep ourselves mindful during our work!

On my side, I have been busy with some personal matters so you might have noticed that I missed the last 2 issues of "The Anxious Developer: Mindful Week".

Right now, I am considering to send just one issue on Thursday like this one as I don't manage to send another one on the weekend too. Was it valuable to you? Let me know by replying to this email!

On some other news the new episode of The Anxious Developer Podcast - "How to Deal with Stress as a Startup Founder?" with my co-founder and very good friend: Brock Predovich is coming soon so make sure to stay tuned!

Until next time, make sure to take care of yourself, love you! ❤️

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— Andrei

Let's connect! 💬 You can find me on Instagram and Twitter.

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