Absolutely this. Programming simply cannot be the only major thing you do with your life, it's unbalanced, unhealthy, and unsustainable.
For me, I'm a fairly serious photographer on the side, and I spend a lot of time studying visual arts of all varieties - going to galleries, museums, talks and the such. It works a completely separate part of my brain that doesn't get a lot of exercise during the day.
The next question is: are you healthy? Are you getting enough exercise, sunlight - are you eating well? There are tremendous psychological impacts on what you do when you don't physically feel at your best.
For me, I'm a fairly serious photographer on the side, and I spend a lot of time studying visual arts of all varieties - going to galleries, museums, talks and the such. It works a completely separate part of my brain that doesn't get a lot of exercise during the day.
The next question is: are you healthy? Are you getting enough exercise, sunlight - are you eating well? There are tremendous psychological impacts on what you do when you don't physically feel at your best.