This week I talk to Matt Heusser about mental health in the workplace! We cover a lot of things, which are mentioned below, but our conversation generally centres around the unique stresses that a software tester encounters and how to help/deal/cope with these.
You can find Matt on twitter, and he recently did a webinar on Deliberate Practice: https://blog.gurock.com/deliberate-practice-in-software-testing/
- At the workplace
- Over-Assumption of responsibility
- Internalizing Inappropriate Goals
- The flag page: http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/uncharted-waters/motivation-matters/
- “You won’t believe what that person did now” and against energy: https://www.thrivinglaunch.com/how-to-fix-your-marriage-larry-bilotta/
- Testers as cynics and the effect of negativity?
- Self-Care
- Sleep (Relaxation before sleep, also sleep hygiene – no screens etc)
- Exercise
- Diet
- Nutrition – Supplements B12, Vit D as well
- THE PROBLEM WITH “COPING” – Coping as a distraction from dealing with issues
- Dealing with Anxiety
- What is the source of the anxiety? Past history of ongoing? (see trouble with coping)
- Mindfulness / Mindful movement (yoga, etc)
- This is broadly selfcare but also falls under dealing with bouts of mental ill-health. You up the selfcare and in movement or guided meditation you can take yourself out of the noise in your own head, and maybe come to a resolution
- CBT
- Thought records
- PSTEC: http://www.pstec.org/
- The Inner Life
- The Chinese Farmer & The Amygdala
- Mantras and Meaning
- The Monster – Against Energy
- Intimacy – requires vulnerability, which may need to be practiced
- Acceptance and gratitude
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- Practice acceptance and gratitude
- Selfishness
- Chaos child
- Stoicism – Dealing with externals
- Dealing with emotions in a healthy way, engaging and responding, not reacting
- Getting Help
- Experiences with Therapy
- Beware the Caring Angry Friend!