If you or other commenters have problems with this, consider doing some activities that really get yourself in-tune with what it means to be relaxed. A lot of p

If you or other commenters have problems with this, consider doing some activities that really get yourself in-tune with what it means to be relaxed. A lot of programmers will run or lift weights, and that is a great way to keep your body functional and physically healthy. But most programmers I know are very out of touch with the other side of physical health--getting in tune with their stress and how to deal with its physical manifestations. Lifting weights in particular can make this harder, because at least for me it makes me used to feeling tense and sore. The reason I bring this up is that if your baseline emotional state is stressed out, you will be more likely not to notice that being at the computer is making your body feel bad. You will be less likely to take those breaks and stretch what needs stretching and give your eyes a break because you are not aware of what it means to truly feel peace in your body. On the flipside, if you are in tune with what stress is feeling like and what calm relaxation and emotional stillness feels like, you will be less likely to tolerate situations that make your body and mind ache. Yoga, meditation, and having a really fulfilling sex life are all obvious ways to reduce stress. Working on a healthy upright posture in the full course of your day is helpful too. Less obviously, talk therapy can be helpful if you feel like you can't relax or are anxious and tense all the time--the problem might be deeper than just needing a massage.