Best of Mental Health — 2025

  1. 1
    Article
    Avatar of rm1zzq7mb7lxpwcwe0kbeVangelis Sigalas·22w

    When Loving Code Isn’t Enough: My Burnout Story

    A developer shares their personal experience with burnout, describing how passion for coding gradually transformed into exhaustion and mental emptiness. The piece explores early warning signs like losing joy in previously loved activities, the pressure of being known as fast and reliable, and the toxic culture of constant productivity. Recovery came through taking actual time off, setting boundaries, and reconnecting with non-work activities. Key lessons include recognizing that loving your work makes you more vulnerable to burnout, the importance of involving developers in deadline decisions, and understanding that mental strain is as real as physical exhaustion.

  2. 2
    Article
    Avatar of sknexusSK NEXUS·47w

    How Gaming Affects Mental Health

    A personal account exploring both the positive and negative impacts of gaming on mental health. The author shares their experience of how gaming served as both a helpful escape and a potential trap, offering insights for maintaining healthy gaming habits and recognizing warning signs of excessive gaming behavior.

  3. 3
    Article
    Avatar of greenonsoftwaregreenonsoftware·48w

    Imposter syndrome in 2025 - you're not alone

    Imposter syndrome is common among those contrasted against highly successful individuals, especially with rapid technological changes. Balancing self-growth and personal responsibilities can be challenging, particularly for parents and caregivers. Psychotherapy is suggested for understanding oneself and mitigating burnout. Achieving success requires finding personalized strategies, concentrating on one's progress rather than others, and maintaining resilience in a dynamic industry environment.

  4. 4
    Article
    Avatar of webdevWebDev·43w

    I built an API for my darkest moments (and yours too)

    A developer created StayStrong, a simple Express.js REST API that serves over 500 motivational messages in English and Italian to help people during difficult times. The API features rate limiting, uses JSON files for data storage, and was born from personal experience with mental health struggles. The project aims to provide virtual support and encouragement to anyone who needs it.

  5. 5
    Article
    Avatar of simplethreadSimple Thread·1y

    How to Accomplish Things When You Are Not Feeling It

    Feeling unmotivated on cold, dreary days is common, but with a few strategic tips, you can stay productive. Organize your week using a paper calendar to visualize tasks. Start with the easiest task on your list to build momentum. Break down larger projects into smaller, manageable pieces. Allow yourself to start tasks without the pressure of finishing them immediately. If all else fails, take a break to do a household chore to reset your mind. These approaches can help turn even the hardest moments into opportunities for progress.

  6. 6
    Article
    Avatar of colkgirlCode Like A Girl·1y

    Micro-Retirement: A New Way To Live

    Micro-retirement is a concept of taking short, periodic breaks throughout one's career to enjoy life and maintain well-being, rather than saving all leisure for the traditional retirement age. This approach aims to balance work, health, and moments of freedom, ensuring fulfillment while still young and healthy. By planning these breaks financially and strategically within your career, you can enhance your life quality and reduce the risks associated with waiting until old age to enjoy your retirement.

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    Article
    Avatar of hnHacker News·1y

    I am rich and have no idea what to do with my life

    A person who recently sold their company and gained significant wealth is struggling to find purpose in life. After a series of life experiences including travel, breaking up with their girlfriend, exploring robotics, and climbing mountains, they come to terms with their insecurities and begin to study physics in Hawaii. The journey highlights the challenges of finding new direction and meaning despite financial freedom.

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    Video
    Avatar of breadonpenguinsBread on Penguins·22w

    if you can give me 5 minutes, I will give you hours back.

    A practice for improving focus and finding direction involves spending time alone without distractions, using only pen and paper to let thoughts wander and reorganize. The method emphasizes embracing boredom to filter out constant information overload and reconnect with personal goals. Writing or drawing whatever comes to mind helps process accumulated information and solve creative blocks. Finding purpose can be accelerated by helping others through volunteering or supporting people in your community.

  9. 9
    Article
    Avatar of tcTechCrunch·1y

    How to stop doomscrolling

    This post discusses the habit of doomscrolling, the negative effects it has on mental health, and provides practical tips to break free from it. It explains the role of tech companies in encouraging excessive screen time and suggests using screen time limits, third-party apps, and alternative activities to mitigate the problem.

  10. 10
    Article
    Avatar of dhhDavid Heinemeier Hansson·38w

    Building competency is better than therapy

    Building technical competency through learning programming, Linux, or contributing to open source projects can be more effective than traditional therapy for addressing mild depression. The combination of skill development, community engagement, and meaningful contribution creates a sense of purpose and flow that naturally counters negative mental states. Open source development particularly excels by offering endless learning opportunities, collaborative communities, and meaningful responsibilities that fulfill core human psychological needs.

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    Article
    Avatar of medium_jsMedium·1y

    Dopamine addiction: the obscure side of the seeking-reward loop

    Our constant exposure to instant gratification through technology has led to dopamine addiction, causing negative impacts on mental health. Social media and other digital platforms use algorithms to exploit dopamine release, fostering dependency. Studies show significant mental health risks, particularly among teens. Solutions such as digital detox practices and minimalist apps are being developed to counteract these effects.

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    Article
    Avatar of devtoDEV·25w

    It's Okay If Your Biggest Hobby Isn't Coding

    Developers don't need to code constantly to be passionate or successful. Taking breaks and pursuing non-coding hobbies prevents burnout, fuels creativity, and improves problem-solving abilities. The myth of the 24/7 coder is damaging—true passion is measured by the quality of focus during work hours, not total hours spent coding. Stepping away from the screen often leads to breakthrough solutions and sustains a healthier, longer career.

  13. 13
    Article
    Avatar of dhhDavid Heinemeier Hansson·1y

    Delusional dreams of excess freedom

    Attaining excessive freedom and wealth can lead to unexpected existential crises. Many people, including startup founders and retirees, struggle to find meaning when freed from the responsibilities and obligations they once had. The notion that material success or unlimited free time would bring happiness is often challenged by the reality of emptiness that can follow.

  14. 14
    Article
    Avatar of thedailywtfThe Daily WTF·32w

    The Modern Job Hunt: Part 1

    A personal narrative about navigating the challenging modern job market, focusing on mental health strategies and reframing techniques to cope with job search stress. The story follows Ellis as she processes rejection and uncertainty by using cognitive reframing methods, viewing her job hunt as a search algorithm navigating obstacles, and finding meaning in the struggle through potential future writing about the experience.

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    Video
    Avatar of codeheadCodeHead·25w

    The ADHD Developer Experience

    Explores how programming's inherent nature—constant context switching, dopamine-driven feedback loops, and high stimulation—creates ADHD-like behaviors in developers. Discusses why people with ADHD often thrive in software development due to novelty and instant rewards, while also examining the burnout risks. Offers practical strategies like time-boxing, task alternation, and notification management to work with your brain's natural patterns rather than against them.

  16. 16
    Article
    Avatar of dev_worldDev World·1y

    👨🏻‍💻 When Bugs and Features Can Wait, But Sleep Can't 💤

    Prioritizing rest is essential for programmers to maintain productivity and reduce errors. Working late into the night can lead to more bugs and decreased efficiency. Rested developers are able to tackle bugs and implement features more effectively.

  17. 17
    Article
    Avatar of hnHacker News·50w

    I just want to code

    The author reflects on the internal conflict between coding for personal enjoyment and the pressure to pursue profit-driven projects. They recount past experiences that sparked their love for coding and how societal influences have fed their desire for success. As they mature, the focus is on finding a balance between passion and profitability to prevent burnout.

  18. 18
    Video
    Avatar of codeheadCodeHead·16w

    How To ESCAPE Imposter Syndrome

    Imposter syndrome in software engineering stems from the gap between external recognition and internal self-doubt, often intensifying with career progression. Combat it by grounding yourself in evidence rather than feelings, comparing yourself only to your past self rather than others online, and reframing doubt as a signal of growth. Build your identity around continuous learning rather than status or titles, recognizing that discomfort often indicates you're stepping into new challenges where you're supposed to be.

  19. 19
    Video
    Avatar of codeheadCodeHead·25w

    The Developer Burnout Experience

    Developer burnout has become normalized in tech culture due to unrealistic expectations, constant context switching, lack of recognition, and blurred work-life boundaries. The industry glorifies hustle culture while developers juggle full-stack responsibilities, endless tool updates, and imposter syndrome. The solution isn't productivity hacks but setting boundaries, saying no to impossible timelines, and prioritizing rest over constant availability.

  20. 20
    Article
    Avatar of larablogLarablog·28w

    Programming Anxiety

    Explores the existential dread and anxiety many developers experience in their programming careers. Addresses the psychological challenges of working in software development and the constant feeling of uncertainty that can accompany the profession.

  21. 21
    Article
    Avatar of hnHacker News·1y

    I conditioned myself to fail

    The author shares their experience of repeatedly losing interest in projects shortly after their launch. They initially blame the failure on various factors like market validation and criticism but eventually realize their addiction to feedback and new information plays a significant role. This addiction impacts their motivation to continue working once the initial excitement wanes. The author reflects on how algorithmic feeds have contributed to this issue.

  22. 22
    Article
    Avatar of communityCommunity Picks·1y

    Kind Engineering: How To Engineer Kindness

    The post outlines how to practice kindness in the workplace through empathy, good communication, and honesty. It discusses the importance of understanding and helping colleagues, giving constructive feedback, and fostering psychological safety. Key advice includes being open, inclusive, and avoiding blame to build trust and improve team dynamics.

  23. 23
    Article
    Avatar of sknexusSK NEXUS·46w

    Willpower Won't Work, Here's Why You Can't Stop Procrastinating

    The post explains how overstimulation from activities like social media and music can lead to procrastination, making it difficult to focus on tasks. It discusses the role of dopamine in the brain's reward system and suggests strategies such as a dopamine detox to reduce distractions and improve productivity. Implementing methods to decrease accessibility to distracting apps can help create a focused environment.

  24. 24
    Article
    Avatar of telerikTelerik·1y

    5 Stress-Busting Techniques for 2025

    Only 34% of people feel they're thriving at work, with stress being a major factor. Five science-backed techniques to reduce stress include sound therapy, laughter, grounding, deep breathing, and exercise. These methods can improve mental and physical health, promoting relaxation and better stress management.

  25. 25
    Article
    Avatar of cassidooCassidy's blog·1y

    I am going to have a second baby and my brain is spinning

    Expecting a second baby brings a mix of excitement and nervousness, especially with the experience of the first child who is almost two years old. The author expresses feelings of fear about postpartum recovery and giving birth again, but also joy at the thought of expanding the family. Balancing work at GitHub and taking parental leave creates a sense of FOMO, but the improved parental leave policy is appreciated.

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