How Pets Can Make You a Better Programmer - Yes, Your Pet Can Do That
Improve and enhance your technical and non-technical skills with the help of a furry friend
Cover Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash
"There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face." - Bernard Williams
Being a programmer is very stressful. Bug-filled codes, deadlines are very demanding and juice-draining. Your pets can help you relieve your stress and develop a few skills. Here are a few ways they can help you with that. It can either be technical or non-technical, but you will eventually end up as a better programmer.
Problem-Solving Skills
Imagine going for a long walk with your dog. Try thinking about a programming problem that you were unable to solve for weeks. At this moment, you will be able to solve it. With your dog by your side, you will feel the strength of companionship pushing you to overcome the problem. Here are more ways your animal companion helps you with problem-solving skills.
They inspire us to exercise more frequently
Research has shown that, on average, pet owners get more sleep, which helps to reduce both stress and depression. This is more the case with the owners of dogs who walk their dogs and interact with them outside, but the owners of cats also get extra exercise through regular play with their pets.
By maintaining a more active lifestyle, you are able to work with a fresh mind. This re-energized version of you is far more capable of handling complex problems when programming.
They help us live in the moment
As Dr Alan M. Beck notes:
"Stress really is bemoaning the past and worrying about the future."
Pets reduce the tendency to focus on past mistakes or worry about future problems. According to Beck, the Director of the Center for the Human-Animal Bond at the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, something as easy as a dog fetch game will keep you glued to the present moment, reducing the stress associated with the past and the future.
This allows you to clear your mind from all past and future problems and approach your programming problem with a clearer, transparent mind.
Creative Thinking Skills
Creative thinking is an essential skill when it comes to programming and the software industry. You are required to think outside the box to tackle unsolved problems. Here are a few ways of how your pets increase your creative thinking skills.
Keeps your mind active and sharp
Pets give us a sense of purpose and obligation. They depend on us for food, shelter, and security. Caring for your pet needs not only physical effort but also mental effort. You need to be able to communicate with your pet and stay tuned to the needs of your pet. You may not know this, but really, your pet helps keep your mind more active and sharp. From meeting your pet's basic needs to playing and enjoying time with your pet, they help to stimulate your mind and keep your brain in shape. The mind is your most complicated and powerful resource, and the more you use it, the more creative and sharp it becomes. Having your mind active helps you produce creative output because the creative process is also cyclical - the more creative thinking you use, the more motivated you become. Start thinking about caring for your pet as a creative tool, and you're sure to enjoy those walks and playtimes even more.
Provides a childlike sense of joy and freedom
Pets often bring out some of the best characteristics in ourselves. They will help us explore and reconnect with that more carefree and childlike existence. You will find that when you're with your pet, you're more happy and relaxed. You might even find yourself doing dumb, out-of-the-box things while you play and spend time with your cat.
It's that very sense of joy and freedom that our pets can provide that can also help to boost our creativity. When you were younger and more carefree, you were less logical and judgmental; you believed in infinite possibilities. A more youthful outlook, filled with wonder and curiosity, is a great approach to the creative process. Let yourself be shrewd and dumb next time you play with your dog, and see how your creative juices can sparkle.
Interpersonal Communication
Interpersonal communication is an important skill that you need to work on in your life as a programmer. To successfully conduct your projects, you should be able to communicate well with your teammates. Programming is not a one-man job. It's a team mission, and you're supposed to work as a team. And your pets can help you with that - Cool, right!
They improve your relationships
A good relationship with your animal friends will lead to a better relationship with humans. An animal doesn't care who you are or what you're wearing; they want to play and be around you, says Moore, an animal expert. This carefree, playful mentality, she notes, has made many animal lovers more willing to live in the moment. According to a 1997 study at the University of Michigan School of Nursing, animal observation can teach useful skills such as tolerance and helps restore mental energy. Caring for an animal can also teach responsibility and promote feelings of confidence, openness, and companionship. This can directly reflect how you handle responsibilities at work. By allowing you to feel comfortable around humans, you are able to have social skills that are very important as a team player.
They make us feel less lonely
Since human beings are social beings, isolation is a growing source of stress. Our pets offer companionship, which not only decreases isolation but also, according to Beck, facilitates positive contact with other people, further reducing stress.
Photo by Jonas Vincent on Unsplash
They increase feelings of self-esteem
A recent study by researchers at the University of Miami and the University of Saint Louis showed that pet owners had better self-esteem than non-pet owners. They were also less nervous and less worried, all of which led to a reduction in overall stress levels. By allowing you to have better self-esteem, you are capable of tackling a variety of problems that will be thrown at you during work, especially when working as a team.
They fulfil our need for touch
Psychologists have understood the importance of touch to psychological health for a long time. For example, a recent article in Psychology Today states that physical contact decreases violence, builds trust, strengthens the immune system, and reduces stress. All pet owners reap the benefits of touch, but this is particularly important for the increasing number of people living alone. By encouraging you to trust fellow beings, you increase your interpersonal communication skills and improve as a team player. And by helping you reduce pressure, they make your life happy and meaningful. This is going to act as an intrinsic motivation for you at work.
Moreover, They Make You Laugh
According to the Mayo Clinic, laughter relieves stress and decreases anxiety. If you own a dog or a cat, you're likely to spend a lot of time laughing, and that's good for your health. Your pet, whether it's a dog or a cat (or a bird, iguana, or rabbit), gives you a lot every day. The health benefits, such as stress reduction, are reason enough for you to want the very best for them, including their own health, happiness, and well-being. Were you able to relate to any of these? Do you have any other experiences with your pets? Mention them in the comments below.
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