Lately I’ve been feeling more stressed than usual at work. It comes and goes depending on the week, which I feel just comes with the industry, but sometimes the ways I deal with it aren’t always the healthiest ways to deal with stress.

So I decided to research healthy ways for software developers to cope when the job gets stressful. Here’s the top ten pieces of advice I’ve found:

1. The Debugger’s Mantra: “It’s Not Personal”

When bugs arise (and they will), it’s easy to feel like the universe is out to get you. Here’s the truth: bugs are inevitable. They aren’t a reflection of your skills or intelligence—they’re just part of the job. Approach debugging with curiosity rather than frustration. Treat it like solving a mystery. Sherlock Holmes wouldn’t rage-quit; neither should you.

2. Pomodoro Your Way to Sanity

The Pomodoro Technique isn’t just a productivity hack—it’s a stress-buster. Work in focused bursts, followed by short breaks. When you know a break is just 25 minutes away, even the most annoying tasks become bearable. Use your breaks to stretch, grab a coffee, or just stare at the sky for a bit. Your brain will thank you.

3. Rage-Driven Development Isn’t a Thing

You’re stuck on a problem, and you’re three hours deep into a Google rabbit hole. You’ve tried everything short of sacrificing a keyboard to the code gods. Stop. Walk away. Often, the best solutions come after you’ve stepped away and cleared your mind. Take a walk, play a game, or sleep on it. There’s no shame in taking a breather—it’s often the most productive thing you can do.

4. Share the Load

Feeling overwhelmed? Remember, you’re not alone. Pair programming, rubber-duck debugging, or even a quick chat with a colleague can bring fresh perspectives. A problem shared is a problem halved—or at least it feels that way. Don’t let pride or fear stop you from asking for help.

5. Celebrate Small Wins

In software, the dopamine rush of solving a tough bug or shipping a feature is fleeting. Balance this by celebrating the small victories. Got a test to pass? High five yourself. Refactored some gnarly code? That’s a win. These micro-celebrations keep your motivation tank full.

6. Set Boundaries: The Code Will Be There Tomorrow

Late nights and endless weekends at the keyboard might feel heroic, but burnout isn’t a badge of honor. Set boundaries. Protect your time. When the workday is over, close your laptop and do something that has nothing to do with code. Cook, read, exercise—whatever recharges you. A rested developer is a sharp developer.

7. The Zen of Version Control

Git can be your greatest ally in managing stress. Commit often, branch liberally, and don’t fear the revert button. Knowing you can roll back changes safely removes a ton of pressure. Treat your codebase like a journal: make small, thoughtful entries, and you’ll avoid massive, stress-inducing rewrites.

8. Learn to Laugh

Sometimes, you just have to laugh at the absurdity of it all. The build failed because of a missing semicolon? Classic. The bug was caused by code you wrote at 3 a.m.? Been there. Humor is a powerful antidote to stress—embrace it.

9. Remember Why You Started

When stress mounts, take a moment to remember why you got into software development. Maybe you love solving problems, creating something out of nothing, or working on projects that make a difference. Reconnecting with your “why” can be a powerful motivator when the going gets tough.

10. Ask for Help (Professionally and Personally)

If stress becomes unmanageable, don’t hesitate to seek help. A mentor, a manager, or even a professional therapist can provide support and perspective. There’s strength in admitting you need a hand.

Stress in software development is unavoidable, but it’s also manageable. With the right mindset and habits, you can keep stress from taking the joy out of coding. So the next time a bug appears or a deadline looms, take a deep breath, grab a coffee, and remind yourself: you’ve got this.