What do you do if your work-life balance needs a hobby boost as an application developer?

Learn to play the piano and read music, at any age. This improves eye tracking ability, hand eye coordination, and transfers to other skills like typing. You don't have to become an expert to gain benefits. Studies have shown a great benefit for the elderly.

I try to find hobbies that keep my body moving, and help me stay creative. I think pursuing any movement you find interesting is key to long term physical goals. Having fun is more important than the "optimal" workout. And drawing or playing an instrument can help you mind stay creative. Don't be discouraged if you're not technically amazing. Just creating is what makes you an artist.

When looking for a hobby that contrasts with your work as an application developer, consider engaging in physical activities like cycling, badminton, or outdoor games. These activities can provide a break from screen time, help reduce stress, and improve physical health. Physical hobbies stimulate different parts of your brain, boost your mood, and can enhance your problem-solving skills when you return to coding. The key is to find something enjoyable that offers a genuine break from your usual tasks.

Two activities I can recommend: martial arts and plastic modeling. The nice thing about these two is that both are most likely going to become a challenge for the non-connoisseur. In the first one, you will learn patience, respect for your peers and your teacher and of course physical skills. In the second it will make you "pay attention to the details" and force you to resolve it by yourself, either with skill or with research. Having said all this, it doesn't matter what you do per se as a hobby but what matters is to change context, leave work and deadlines aside and enjoy life as it comes. My grain of sand.

Many people smarter than I have said that the key to solving a problem is not to stare at it and dwell on it, but to focus your conscious mind on something else so that your subconscious can do its job. I've solved many problems over a game of ping-pong. In recent years, I've taken up leather craft and woodworking. I'm not good at either, but they keep my focus elsewhere and, eventually, the answers you're looking for will bubble up. When work has you frustrated, I recommend getting away from your desk and doing something completely unrelated and comparatively inconsequential. Once your focus changes, the stress and frustration will dissipate. Then you can return to work with a relaxed and uncluttered perspective.

Learning when to stop hustling is a great trait. Your family is waiting for you, your friends, and your health. Remember to leave the screen to one side and enjoy your life. Learn how allocate time effectively to succeed in every aspect, not just your work

Build your routine, by planning in time slots that are less likely to be influenced by other items from your agenda. It may require you to start getting up early, or staying up late, or having a break during the day. The key is consequence - if you let your schedule change too often you will likely lose it.

It is crucial to maintain a healthy balance. When work is intensive and demanding, a work schedule should be defined and adhere to it as much as possible. Schedule short breaks during your workday to disconnect and rest your mind. When you finish your work day, completely disconnect from screens and work-related tasks. Spend time on activities that you enjoy outside of work. Maintain a healthy routine that includes regular exercise, a balanced diet, and enough rest at night. Practice techniques such as meditation, yoga, or simply deep breathing to help relax your mind and body.

This is exactly that case when you working on building bridge between technical and nontechnical stakeholders😅 or kind of. Just leave your bubble 🫧 and you will definitely find out another way to achieve your goals.

Do something meaningful - join a local community or NGO and become a volunteer. Community work or volunteering is a great engaging hobby, where you have a choice to either go for switching off completely and doing manual physical work, or to connect with your specialization and use it for the common good (for example by teaching computer skills to some disadvantaged group, or supporting local organizations with various computer stuff). And the greatest benefit of it will be meeting nice people, from a completely different bubble and having a chance to get around people offline.

Choosing a social hobby that allows you to interact with other people outside of the work context can be very enriching. Some options: *Book clubs *Dance classes *Team sports *Volunteer groups *Cooking courses or wine tastings *Film or theater club *Cultural events, festivals, concerts, art exhibitions

Learning to disconnect from electronic devices through walks and trips with my dog is the best that happened to me in the last 6 years. Recharging with nature and the smell of fresh grass is something I can't describe with words

Disconnecting from the digital world for a period can be a very beneficial experience to recharge your batteries and reconnect with yourself and the physical environment. Check out some suggestions: * Establish a clear purpose for why you want to disconnect * Set a specific disconnection time * Notify people nearby and at work (if possible) that you will be offline during that period * Limit physical access to your smartphone and laptop * Find alternative off-screen activities *Spending time outdoors is a great way to unwind * Spend time practicing meditation, mindfulness, or simply being present in the moment

Once I got very simple question: What is your real hobby? And I didn’t know how to answer it. Afterwords I started to ask myself every day the same question. What I really like? So, do not lose yourself in the world of sharks and wildlife.

Travel...get out of your bubble. Take advantage of being remote and do something memorable. I traveled around the world for 9.5 months while working remote, on Mountain time zone. Ultimate adventure. There aren't many other more fulfilling days when you start working in your camper van at 5am. Find a coffee shop around 7am. Work there until noon...then go explore a new part of the world.

Engage in any sport to stay physically active. Do more Volunteer Work. Do any creative art form that provide a relaxing break from coding.