Language: English (mozilla)
Working in the tech industry often involves spending long hours sitting down, staring at a screen, consuming copious amounts of pizza and caffeine. The work is mentally demanding and can be stressful. In the rush to get everything done, it can be easy to neglect our health. But a healthy body and mind are necessary for effective performance. Based on HR training, research, and personal experience, this session provides realistic suggestions for managing your well-being at work. It covers the connection between physical and mental health, as well as how to discuss these topics with your employer. You’ll leave with a better idea of how to take care of yourself and be a happier, healthier, more productive person.
The main goal of this talk is to help normalize conversations about mental health and neurodiversity in our industry. I point out the parallels between physical and mental health and offer small, practical suggestions for improving physical and mental wellness.
Why did you choose that space? How does your session align with the space description?:I struggle with ADHD, anxiety, and depression. When I found out how prevalent these conditions are in the tech industry, I decided I wanted to start talking about them to help remove the stigma and promote more empathy. Since the talk gives tips on how to live and succeed with these conditions, I thought it'd be a good fit for this track.
How will you deal with varying numbers of participants in your session? What if 30 participants attend? What if there are 3?:I can adapt based on the number of participants. When I've given this talk to small audiences of 10 or fewer people, it becomes more conversational with more time for Q&A and open discussion. With a larger audience, the talk is less interactive and we generally hold questions for the end of the talk and the hallway/lunch/chat track afterwards.
What happens after MozFest? We're hoping that many efforts and discussions will continue after MozFest. Share any ideas you already have for how to continue the work from your session.:I'm going to continue expanding on this topic and have started writing talks that focus on more specific areas of mental health at work. I encourage others to participate in these conversations as well and share their stories if they're comfortable and able to do so.
What language would you like to host your session in?:English