Today marks the end of #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth, and we'd like to say a word on mental health in #tech.
51% of tech workers have been diagnosed with a mental health condition. By contrast, 19.1% of U.S. adults experience mental illness.
How can we change that? THREAD 🧵
51% of tech workers have been diagnosed with a mental health condition. By contrast, 19.1% of U.S. adults experience mental illness.
How can we change that? THREAD 🧵
Above all, we've got to open up about our struggles.
In this thread, 3 of our #founders talk openly about their mental health and tools that help them maintain it - tackling issues such as burnout, work-life balance and fear of failure.
Let's see what they have to say.
In this thread, 3 of our #founders talk openly about their mental health and tools that help them maintain it - tackling issues such as burnout, work-life balance and fear of failure.
Let's see what they have to say.
Founder & CEO of @KairnApp, @patbsci, recommends writing something down when it bothers you, daily.
"If it consistently bothers me 7 days in a row, then it means it’s not going away", she says. "Do something to change it, don’t let it eat away your energy."
"If it consistently bothers me 7 days in a row, then it means it’s not going away", she says. "Do something to change it, don’t let it eat away your energy."
She also stresses the importance of taking a step back from your project:
"Once per month, I review why I’m building Kairn, and check I still really want to do it. It’s hard enough to build a company, it should always feel like a choice you’re consciously making!"
"Once per month, I review why I’m building Kairn, and check I still really want to do it. It’s hard enough to build a company, it should always feel like a choice you’re consciously making!"
What's more, Patricia finds it useful to have founder friends to talk about your work issues, but also non-founder friends to stop talking about your company.
It's good to get away from the founders' world every once in a while.
It's good to get away from the founders' world every once in a while.
Finally, as obvious as it may seem, she recommends good sleep and exercise.
"Sleeeeeeep, and sleep again. I can do 5H nights easily but then after a month I crash, so I always try to go for at least 7 hours per night."
Sacrificing your sleep for work isn't worth it long-term.
"Sleeeeeeep, and sleep again. I can do 5H nights easily but then after a month I crash, so I always try to go for at least 7 hours per night."
Sacrificing your sleep for work isn't worth it long-term.
Next up, Evan Testa, Co-Founder & CEO of @JoinRoundtable.
He likes to implement the Big Rocks Theory for work-life balance, the key being to schedule your priorities.
His Big Rock is his family: no matter what, he blocks off 7:30 - 9 PM daily to see his wife and daughter.
He likes to implement the Big Rocks Theory for work-life balance, the key being to schedule your priorities.
His Big Rock is his family: no matter what, he blocks off 7:30 - 9 PM daily to see his wife and daughter.
Then comes the smaller rocks, less important than the big rock. For him, this is everything work-related, which he orders by priority.
And finally, he fills his day with finer sand: everything else that he'll do if possible, but not a priority.
And finally, he fills his day with finer sand: everything else that he'll do if possible, but not a priority.
To avoid getting overwhelmed by work, Evan also stresses the importance of:
a. blocking time for specific tasks and isolating yourself - this way you don't have to constantly use energy to refocus.
b. making sure to clearly define a goal for each and every meeting.
a. blocking time for specific tasks and isolating yourself - this way you don't have to constantly use energy to refocus.
b. making sure to clearly define a goal for each and every meeting.
Finally, we asked @elba_security Co-Founder & CEO @Theo_Rouer for his mental health tips for tech workers:
"I'm quite competitive, which can be bad for my mental health. To fight this, I like to play sports, especially against those stronger than me, that way I learn to lose"
"I'm quite competitive, which can be bad for my mental health. To fight this, I like to play sports, especially against those stronger than me, that way I learn to lose"
And last but not least, Théo recommends indulging in a guilty pleasure from time to time - whatever makes you happy.
For him, it's is dim sum 🥟
In moderation of course - it's all about balance!
For him, it's is dim sum 🥟
In moderation of course - it's all about balance!
Tech tends to fosters a "crunch" culture, where demanding work must be completed in a short amount of time.
It's easy to neglect one’s health by forgoing proper diet, exercise, and sleep in the name of increased output.
We think it's time that changed - so let's talk more.
It's easy to neglect one’s health by forgoing proper diet, exercise, and sleep in the name of increased output.
We think it's time that changed - so let's talk more.
What steps do you take to to maintain your mental health, particularly as a tech professional? 📢
#MentalHealthMatters #MentalHealthAwareness
#MentalHealthMatters #MentalHealthAwareness
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