Is robotics bad for your health?

[Daniel Brim]

This is just a simple question. Is robotics bad for your health?

I know their is a thread about sanitation, but this is about something different. I'm talking long-term illnesses. Perhaps it can be, if you think about it. There are many stress related illnesses and ailments (ulcers, IBS, etc), and robotics can be extremely stressful. In addition, robotics can lead to a lack of sleep, possibly making existing conditions worse.

From my personal experience, I think that it can be a health hazard. Personally, I got pretty sick last year during robotics season and it isn't a short term thing. I still miss about a day of school a week because of it. This has not been diagnosed yet (due to slow and possibly incompetent doctors), but it probably started as a stress related illness.

Perhaps these risks are worth while. FIRST teaches everybody lessons, however hard-learned they may be. It is a way of showing students the real world.

Just a word of warning, be careful and stay calm. Or as Douglas Adams would say, Don't Panic

-Daniel

[Billfred]

Robotics in and of itself is not bad for your health.

What you do in response to robotics can be.

If you eat healthy, get a full night's rest (that means you, programmers), and work out on occasion, you ought to be alright.

And if things get to you, take a deep breath, walk to the bathroom, walk back, and repeat as necessary.

[Billfred]

Originally Posted by roboticsjenkins

I disagree, as Arnold Schwarzenegger would say. Are all of y'all a bunch of Girlie Men? (no offense to the ladies, except FlipperGiggles) If you can't hang with the Big Dawgs Then stay on the porch with the puppies.

I sincerely hope that was dripping with sarcasm...but since my Billfred Industries Sarc-O-Meter isn't working at the moment, I'll remind the group that there is no shame in taking a step back, especially when your health is at stake.

I'll use an example. When I had a car breakdown last week, did I immediately start running to Irmo High School? No, I got the car to the dealer and got it fixed. (Plus IHS is about 30 minutes by car, so I would be foolish to try to run that far.)

Or consider FIRST and schoolwork. It's widely accepted among teams that schoolwork comes ahead of robotics. I'm yet to have a problem of the two conflicting, but if it comes down to missing a meeting or getting a paper done, then 1293 is just going to have to deal without me for one night. (And to the 1293ers on CD, don't start celebrating. I only have one class that ever meets the day after a meeting. )

Remember, if FIRST is your top priority, you need to look at your priorities.

[Stephen Kowski]

Is robotics bad for your health?

yes and no; it is bad for my health, but it makes me extremely happy to be involved in it....it is hard to measure what the exact overall effect of it has on me, but I probably wouldn't be as motivated or happy....

It can be hazardous, but I believe the positive effect it has outweighs the negatives....just gotta look for the positives first....

[UsmanB]

nope, its not bad for your health, unless you make it bad for your health. you gotta make a schedule and deadlines and work your way from there. if you dont you'll spend countless hours the night before deadline working on animation or something and then also miss school or something b/c you still had to do your homewrok that you didnt complete.

[Yan Wang]

Yes.

[DarMagi]

I think robotics can be hazardous to your health, just like making things fit by "using a bigger hammer" ouch, watch out for in-the-way toes and fingers. But on the other hand, the motivation that is gives to its competitors and the rewards and lessons far outway a little added stress into the life of a high schooler. Lessers that FIRST teaches everyone are great ideals to hold in life, but health is utmost concern, take a step back if you get to stressed, I go to the cafeteria to get a drink and walk back with a cool head and better thinking. A better deal and you get all the lessons and less sickness!

Robots are awsome and good for your health, 99.9% of the time!

[Bcahn836]

It can be if you let it get out of hand. Just like anything else you must know when to quit. One's body physically and mentally can only take soo much. some handle this stress better than others but either way can be harmful. I would say in my opinion it is up to you to know when you have gone to far. I know it might be hard for some to put themselves before their team but when it comes to one's health NOTHING should be more important than that.

[Daniel Brim]

I agree with most of the points so far. This year I have been stepping back and readjusting my priorities around school and health first. I'm generally missing 2-3 meetings a week, and I haven't been in at all this week (finals, bleagh). It is hard to find a limit; consider this a warning to those "over-dedicated" students out there who think robotics is first (no pun intended) like I did last year.

Good suggestions Billfred, I'll keep them in mind (especially since I'm weaker physically, I've lost 35 pounds since last season).

Thanks and good luck,
Daniel

[phrontist]

Are hard drugs bad for your health? Hell yeah! How many heroin addicts decide to quit because it's bad for them? How many FIRSTers would quit if they found it was bad for them? I think most FIRSTaholics are thirteen steppers

[greencactus3]

well plenty of things we use are known to be hazardous in the state of california. and since i dont live in california, im fine. but californians beware. solder fumes, melting lexan, etc. bad for you in california

[Kyle]

I do not believe that robotics has anything to do with your health. Stress has alot to do with your health but robotics has little if nothing to do with it at all. Unless you get hurt in the shop or you are an old lady around a FIRST robot. Stress is linked to many different mental and even physical problems. The best way to stay healthy during build is to keep your self from over stressing. When your drive train catches fire and you lose a week of work yes it is a bad thing but just remember it is better to have your life then your robot, so chill out take a deep breath, maybe hit a freshman (just kidding) and then get back to work. The dead line comes fast and makes times stressfull for everyone but its how each person handles the stress that determines there health.

So after all of that randomness I say that Robotics is not bad for your health, stress is. Don't let the stress get you and you should be ok.


Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things.

just my 2 cents..

[Rich Wong]

This is just a simple question. Is WORK bad for your health?

I know their is a thread about sanitation, but this is about something different. I'm talking long-term illnesses. Perhaps it can be, if you think about it. There are many stress related illnesses and ailments (ulcers, IBS, etc), and WORK can be extremely stressful. In addition, WORK can lead to a lack of sleep, possibly making existing conditions worse.

From my personal experience, I think that it can be a health hazard. Personally, I got pretty sick last year WORKING and it isn't a short term thing. I still miss about a day of WORK a week because of it. This has not been diagnosed yet (due to slow and possibly incompetent doctors), but it probably started as a stress related illness.

Perhaps these risks are worth while (TO WORK).
***********************
Daniel, I'm not really making fun of you, but just making a point.
Everything is stressful, everything can affect your health, and everything should be done in moderation.
Mentoring FIRST Robotics is my way of enjoying what I like about being an engineer and to get away for the mundane office work for a short six weeks that challenges my brain cells.
Gotta keep the brain sparks firing.

[Jeff K.]

Of course not
Robotics is a very 'good' environment. It's educational and also even a stress reliever when working with the good 'ole rubber mallet. It's pretty much a fix-it-all tool when working with something that is not exactly 'cooperative'...

Okay I was joking around, but how could robotics be bad for your health?
It's being in a good, not always safe environment, with 'most' of the people that you enjoy hanging around with and is also a very good place to meet new people...Wait...I just totally got off subject...but how is robotics bad anyways?

[tribotec_ca88]

I think everyone else has pretty much said it...robotics in itself is harmless, it's just the rest of the things that tag along with it that can sometimes cause problems. It simply needs to be "appreciated with moderation" ... and I guess it sort of depends on the environment you work in, how well you get along with those around you, etc, which unfortunately are factors than can't be changed and rely on the forces of nature. There are things you can do, however, to avoid making the situation worse than it already is...(and everyone's said them already)...dont skip meals, balance your diet, get enough sleep, and don't forget that there is life outside of FIRST (which means stay focused - and awake - in school!!!). Minor physical stress is expected, I guess, but if your health problems are psychological, that's when things get ugly...

Fortunately i've never had any major problems related to robotics-health...sometimes i find it necessary to take a day or two off just to relax and recover...it does help relieve stress. And it really does keep you physically and mentally well.