Best of Mental Health — November 2024
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Software Engineering Research·1y
What causes 'bad days' for developers?
Microsoft's study reveals that engineering system friction, such as unreliable tools and slow processes, is a major cause of bad days for developers. These issues lead to reduced productivity, increased stress, and self-doubt, particularly affecting junior and senior developers differently. Telemetry data confirms that inefficiencies in code review and build times significantly impact developer morale and performance.
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Community Picks·1y
Remote Work Can Be Better
Remote work offers time and cost savings but comes with challenges like poor home-work separation, health issues, lack of visibility for promotions, and feelings of isolation. Solutions include setting up a separate work area, using proper ergonomic equipment, engaging in physical activities, and finding ways to increase visibility for career growth and social interaction through team sports or co-working spaces.
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David Heinemeier Hansson·1y
Too much therapy at work
Discussion around the consequences of integrating therapy sessions into workplace culture, highlighting the negative impacts of over-emphasizing emotional processing in professional settings. Advocates for differentiating between professional and therapeutic environments to prevent fragility and improve resilience at work.
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Code Like A Girl·1y
Why Working Together Is Better: The Power of Body-Doubling
Body-doubling, a practice from the ADHD community, involves working independently with a partner to externalize motivation and boost productivity. The author describes how partnering with a friend for twice-weekly sessions helped overcome a productivity slump during a project. The technique involves sharing intentions, taking breaks, and reflecting on accomplishments. The author suggests body-doubling for tackling administrative tasks and maintaining productivity in various settings.
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Telerik·1y
How to Bring the Joy Back to Your Job
Feeling disconnected from your job is common and doesn't necessarily mean you need to quit. Explore strategies to rediscover joy in your work, like setting new goals, improving processes, addressing root issues, or even considering a side hustle. Finding what you need and adjusting your approach can help reignite passion or lead you to a more fulfilling career path.
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LogRocket·1y
A guide to content switching
Context switching refers to the act of shifting focus from one task to another, which can result in decreased productivity and increased mental fatigue. The post discusses how excessive context switching can lead to issues like 'toggle tax,' attention residue, and cognitive load. Strategies to manage and reduce context switching include identifying triggers, creating blocks of focused time, prioritizing tasks, and using tools to track time and minimize distractions. Real-world case studies demonstrate the effectiveness of these strategies in improving productivity and work quality.
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Hussein Nasser·1y
Were you ever truly immersed in a thing?
Experiencing deep immersion in an activity can bring immense joy and dissolve time and worries. However, external pressures and societal expectations often disrupt this state, leading to feelings of anxiety and unrest. Instead of giving in to the 'rat race,' consider stepping away and finding fulfillment on your own terms.
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Codemotion·1y
A Higher Salary Alone Is Not Enough to Motivate Change
Reflecting on a series of events at the end of 2023, the post considers how difficult it is to motivate people to change, even with attractive job offers. It explores the reasons why programmers hesitate to accept new opportunities, delving into factors beyond salary that influence their decisions. The post emphasizes the importance of corporate appeal and growth opportunities to attract and retain talent, suggesting that non-monetary factors often play a significant role in career decisions.
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Hacker News·1y
Leaving Stripe
Jon de la Motte shares his personal journey of quitting his job at Stripe without another opportunity lined up. Reflecting on his initial excitement, struggles with writing, project challenges, management feedback, and eventually battling depression, Jon opens up candidly about his experiences and decision to step into the unknown. He hopes his story will resonate with others facing similar struggles.
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CodeWithChris·1y
From Idea to App: Build this App Step by Step
Chris walks you through building a mental health app step by step. The app helps users track activities that improve their mood, using Swift Data for data management. It includes adding and tracking daily activities, setting reminders, and using Revenue Cat for an optional paywall feature. The workshop is designed for those who have some prior experience with Swift and app development.
