Mental Exhaustion

May 8, 2019 7 Comments

How do you guys deal with the mental effort and stress of work. I'd say it's 40% stress from the company (deadlines, requirements, performance, etc) and 60% stress from myself worried about my performance, my gaps in knowledge, etc. My performance is never an issue, it's just my anxiety making me worried.

I'm never relaxed and it feels like my mind moves so quickly like I'm panicking to get stuff done so the anxiety of having to do it goes away.

I want to quit software so badly. I would take a 50% pay cut and do something where I don't have to use my brain so much.

How do you guys do it? I guess those that got out of software dev arent on blind...

comments

Want to comment? LOG IN or SIGN UP
TOP 7 Comments
  • Nauto / Eng
    4652414b

    Nauto Eng

    4652414b
    Find hobbies outside of software, stop giving a shit about what you don’t know, and take a hard look at how you do your work. I guarantee there are ways to optimize your time.
    May 8, 2019 4
  • New / Eng
    RHYNO

    New Eng

    PRE
    Legrand
    BIO
    14+ yrs Hardware Engineering. R&D, Product design/verification/validation, DFM, MFG, Test Engineering, Circuit and PCBA design, Consulting.
    RHYNO
    I can sympathize with you....this economy has really kicked engineering into light speed. I feel constantly pushed to achieve the extraordinary in condensed timeframes. Here are my tips from 15yrs in the trenches:

    Your brain is a muscle. Feed it extra protein. Make sleep a priority and not an inconvenience. Don’t look at your cell phone before going to sleep. Exercise often and/or play some team sports (love softball). If you have slight anxiety, it could be because of diet. Eat clean food and avoid excessive sugars and anything that converts to sugar. Paleo type foods would be good to help structure what you consume. I was on high blood pressure medication until I severely decreased the amount of gluten I consumed (hypertension and anxiety were eliminated). Explore a leave of absence - even six weeks away would do wonders. You’re doing good. And you’re gonna hit your stride in about 5yrs but realize engineering is a marathon with occasional sprints.
    May 8, 2019 0
  • Intel
    babubhatt

    Go to company page Intel

    babubhatt
    That’s really hard. What you’re describing sounds like more than typical levels of panic and anxiety. I’d suggest talking about it with your Dr.

    Great advice above from RHYNO too.
    May 8, 2019 0