In today’s fast-paced digital world, mental health at the workplace is no longer a luxury — it’s a necessity. Especially for people like me, working as a software engineer, where long hours, tight deadlines, and constant screen time are part of daily life, mental health challenges can easily creep in unnoticed.
But it wasn’t always like this for me. After the COVID-19 pandemic, everything changed — for the world, and for me personally.
😰 The Silent Burnout After COVID
Before COVID, my work life felt normal — commuting to the office, collaborating with coworkers, and enjoying breaks. But once remote work started, things took a toll on my mental health.
I found myself:
- Working long hours without breaks
- Constantly in virtual meetings
- Feeling isolated and mentally exhausted
Like many others, I ignored the signs of burnout, thinking it was part of the “new normal.”
🚩 Signs I Was Struggling With Mental Health
Even though I was meeting deadlines and coding daily, I started noticing:
- Difficulty focusing and frequent irritability
- Lack of motivation, even for basic tasks
- Avoiding team calls and messages
- Increased anxiety before every meeting
This was not just “work stress” — this was a mental health red flag.
🛠 How I Took Control of My Mental Health
Realizing that ignoring it would only make things worse, I started implementing simple but effective changes in my routine:
1. 🌄 Morning Meditation & Stretching
Before opening my laptop, I began with 10 minutes of quiet meditation and stretching. It helped calm my mind and reduce early morning stress.
2. 📆 Time Blocking & Breaks
I restructured my calendar to include:
- Focus hours for deep work
- Mental health breaks for walks, journaling, or breathing
- Avoiding meetings during “no-focus” hours
3. 🗣 Talking Openly with Colleagues
Once I shared my feelings with a few teammates, I realized that many were also silently suffering. Talking helped me feel connected and supported.
4. 🚫 Work Boundaries After Hours
I stopped checking work emails or Slack after 7 PM. Creating a clear boundary between work and personal life was a game-changer.
5. 🏃 Hobbies & Physical Activity
I made time for evening walks, light workouts, and fun weekend activities. This gave my mind a break from constant screen time.
💬 Why We Need to Talk About Mental Health at Work
Mental health doesn’t mean weakness — it means being human.
No matter your job title or work culture, mental wellness is essential. As someone in tech, it’s easy to feel isolated, overworked, or under pressure. But we must normalize conversations around:
- Burnout
- Work-life balance
- Mental fatigue
- Seeking help or breaks when needed
✅ Practical Tips for Better Mental Health at Work
Whether you’re a software engineer like me or in any other role, here are some tips you can apply:
- Schedule no-meeting hours weekly
- Take short mindful breaks between tasks
- Use productivity techniques like the Pomodoro method
- Talk to HR or your manager if stress becomes too much
- Keep one day a week for mental detox — no screens, just relax
✅ 2. ✅ Add Internal Links (Linking to other blogs on your site)
Assuming your site pixmorphy.com has blogs on related topics like fitness, meditation, or productivity, here’s where you can place internal links:
🔗 Insert into Blog:
I began my day with 10 minutes of meditation and light stretching. (Read more about the science-backed benefits of meditation).
I made time for evening walks, light workouts, and weekend activities. (Explore our fitness tips for busy professionals).
✅ 3. ✅ Add External Links (Authoritative sources)
Here are some relevant and reputable external sources you can link to:
🔗 Insert into Blog:
Burnout is not just about tiredness — it’s a recognized mental condition. (According to the World Health Organization, burnout is now an official occupational phenomenon.)
Meditation and mindfulness are proven to help with workplace stress. (Studies by Harvard Health show improvement in focus and mood.)🔚 Final Thoughts
I still work as a full-time software engineer, but now with more awareness, control, and balance. My journey from post-COVID burnout to mindful work habits taught me that your mental health matters as much as your job performance.
If you’re feeling low, anxious, or overwhelmed — you’re not alone. Take small steps, seek support, and remember: you are more than your job.
