Debugging Your Mind: Mental Health Tips for Tech Learners

The tech world and its code are elegant in design; complex algorithms drive the modern innovations we see around us. And while computers can run nonstop with flawless logic, the same can’t be said for the individuals who write the code and operate these systems. Human beings can’t perpetually maintain the required mental stamina. As a tech learner, you’ve probably already discovered this.

Technology training courses are incredibly rewarding, but also notoriously demanding. Your course load challenges you with steep learning curves and an endless flow of new information. Over time, this becomes emotionally taxing. You might find your resilience and confidence waning. 

Mastering mental health awareness is important because many of the same demands (e.g., stress, burnout, and impostor syndrome) will be an element of your tech career. We’ve put together these practical tips to help you debug your mind and thrive as a tech learner:

Stress in Tech Training: Recognizing the Load

Once upon a time, a thought ran through your mind: “Getting paid to work with computers has got to be the best job ever!” In many ways, that’s still true. But if your tech training coursework starts to feel like it’s too much, you may now wonder, “What happened?”

You’re probably:

• Running into the inherent pressure that comes with learning about technology
• Grappling with understanding new concepts that arrive at a fast pace
• Dealing with high expectations, both from instructors and yourself
• Balancing all the other responsibilities in your life, like an existing job, paying bills, and family commitments
• And more 

Remember, this is all normal stress. The key is to recognize when it becomes unhealthy.

Signs of unhealthy stress include persistent fatigue, heightened anxiety, poor sleep patterns, and irritability. If you’re suffering from any of these problems, try these stress-relieving strategies now:

•     Utilize the Pomodoro Technique: work in focused bursts followed by short breaks. For example, you might work hard for 25 minutes and then take a five-minute break. This prevents prolonged mental strain and helps concentration
•     Establish a daily routine: having a sense of stability and predictability of routines can make the world around you seem less chaotic
•     Reward yourself: after completing a challenging module, step outside or listen to your favorite music. You can also buy yourself something small after completing a major project milestone. Whatever you prefer, rewards can boost morale and keep you pushing

Impostor Syndrome: You’re Not a Fraud

Imposter syndrome is a common challenge felt by people in all professions. This is the sense that you aren’t good enough to do the work you do and that you’re fooling everyone around you, despite evidence to the contrary. 

Unfortunately, impostor syndrome can hit tech learners and professionals exceptionally hard. But why is that?

Mainly, it is due to the rapid learning curves associated with tech. When you regularly encounter new concepts, coding languages, and system frameworks, it becomes easy to feel like everyone else is learning quicker than you. And in the tech world, there is constant comparison to your peers. The most talented people can make their IT skills look like magic, and that’s what you’re being compared against.

Comparing each other also feeds into the myth of the “natural-born coder.”, aka the idea that some people are just inherently gifted at tech and others aren’t. Believing so can fuel impostor syndrome. 

However, with the right instructors, everyone has the opportunity to learn equally. Fortunately, there are some proven ways to combat impostor syndrome:

•     Keep a “win journal”: simply a list of all your tech training accomplishments. Seeing your success proves on paper that you’re not a fraud and really possess talent
•     Don’t suffer in silence: share your feelings of inadequacy with peers or mentors. Gaining an outside perspective helps you see the truth more clearly
•     Remember, growth comes from learning: it does not come from perfection. Everyone makes mistakes and struggles, even the so-called “naturals.” The important thing is your willingness to learn and persevere

Burnout: When Passion Turns to Exhaustion

Burnout is more than stress: it’s a state of mental, physical, and emotional exhaustion. When you suffer from burnout, your energy feels depleted, and you can feel detached. It’s a scary condition that results from prolonged stress, and it’s important to spot those feelings of exhaustion or loss of interest so you can address them early.

Try these tips when you feel like stress is turning into burnout:

•     Set boundaries: It’s so easy to get burned out in tech because opportunities for work or learning are all around us (computers, smartphones, tablets, etc.). Know when to log off, step away from your computer, or stop studying for the day, to avoid stress morphing into burnout
•     Diversify your routine: Having a routine is important, but changing things up when you’re stressed can give you a new outlook. Since tech learners spend so much time sitting in front of computers, taking a walk in nature is an excellent escape. Spending time on a favorite hobby can also be a good routine-buster
•     Use mental health resources: Many training courses, like those offered by Per Scholas, provide support services. Don’t hesitate to utilize this help when you need it, or other resources like mental wellness apps

Building a Personal Mental Health Toolkit

Just as a developer needs a toolkit of coding languages, frameworks, and debugging tools, a tech learner needs a mental health toolkit. You can build your toolkit by simply incorporating some daily mental hygiene practices, such as:

1. Taking time each day to practice mindfulness or focused breathing exercises. These tools are proven to reduce anxiety and increase focus
2. Keep a gratitude journal. This is simply a log of things you’re thankful for daily. Focusing on the positive improves outlook and reduces stress
3. Connect with support networks of all types. Whether it’s your peers, a mentor, or long-term friends, stay engaged with those who care about you. They can offer helpful perspectives when stress feels overwhelming
4. Know when to seek help. Even though these strategies can build resilience, sometimes it’s best to talk to a mental health professional. If you’ve tried some of the tips discussed here but still feel overwhelmed, it may be time to contact a licensed therapist or counselor

Debugging is Part of the Process

As a tech learner, you know that identifying bugs is the first step to solving them. This is true even when your mind needs debugging. And just like you might approach debugging code one step at a time, incorporating mental health awareness into your life can happen gradually. 

We challenge you to try one mental wellness strategy this week and share it with your peers. You’ll soon find that your cohorts also deal with stress, anxiety, feelings of inadequacy, and other issues. Debugging is part of the process, both in tech and with mental health. By sharing these tips for tech learners, you don’t have to address mental health alone.