Category: Mental Health

Tired of Office Drama? Here’s How You Can Avoid a Toxic Workplace in India
Ever felt like your office is draining the life out of you? Like you walk in every day with a heavy heart, not because of the work, but because of the people or the atmosphere? If yes, then you might be dealing with something we all avoid talking about a toxic workplace.

Now, in India, we usually don’t speak openly about these things. We’re told to “adjust”, to “keep quiet and focus on the job”. But the truth is, no job is worth your peace of mind.

This blog is not some motivational talk. It’s just straight-up advice from one regular working person to another. If your job is making you feel low, angry, or sick, it’s time to stop and ask, what’s really going on?

What Does a Toxic Workplace Look Like?

It’s not always loud shouting or big fights. Sometimes it’s quiet. Sometimes, it’s in the small things.
- Your boss never says thank you.
- You feel scared to make a mistake.
- Your teammates talk behind your back.
- You’re expected to work late… every day.
- You feel invisible, like no one cares.
It’s that constant feeling of walking on eggshells. You’re doing your best, but it’s never enough. That’s not normal and you don’t have to accept it.

Why So Many Indian Offices Feel Toxic

In India, many of us grew up thinking we should just “be grateful” for a job. So even if the environment is unfair, we keep quiet. But slowly, this silence leads to suffering.

Here are a few common reasons why offices turn toxic workplace here:

1. Work Overload = Respect?

In many companies, especially startups and big firms, leaving on time is looked down upon. It’s like the longer you stay, the more loyal you are. That’s not dedication, that’s overwork.

2. Boss = God?

We’re taught to respect seniors, and that’s good. But blindly following orders, even when they’re unfair, leads to imbalance. Some bosses take advantage of that.

3. No Space to Speak Up

Employees fear being judged or punished if they share feedback. So even if someone is struggling, they just keep it to themselves.

4. Zero Training for Managers

Not every team leader knows how to handle people. If your manager is moody, rude, or unresponsive, it can make the whole team suffer.

How It Affects You in the Long Run

You might think, “It’s okay, I can handle it.” But slowly, it gets to you. Toxicity doesn’t just stay in the office it follows you home.
- You stop enjoying your evenings.
- You feel tired even after resting.
- Your self-confidence goes down.
- You start doubting yourself.
You might even begin to feel like you are the problem. But the truth is — the problem is the environment, not you.

What You Can Do To Stay Sane

If quitting is not an option right now (and it often isn’t), here are some simple things you can do to protect yourself:

🌿 1. Build Personal Boundaries

Set a time to log off. Say no when the load is too much. You’re allowed to protect your time and energy.

🧱 2. Don’t Take Everything Personally

Sometimes, people behave badly because of their own stress. That doesn’t mean you should accept it, but try not to carry their negativity in your heart.

🧾 3. Document Everything

If your boss or colleague is crossing a line repeatedly, note it down. Keep emails or chats saved. You never know when you’ll need proof.

🤝 4. Find Your Support Circle

Even if it’s just one friendly co-worker, having someone to talk to makes a difference. Vent when needed. Laugh when possible.

🛑 5. Say Something When You Must

If someone behaves badly more than once, politely tell them to stop. You don’t have to shout. Just speak clearly. If nothing changes, escalate to HR.

If You’re a Manager, Please Read This

Toxic workplaces don’t always start with employees. Sometimes, it’s leadership that creates pressure, even without meaning to.

If you’re a manager, ask yourself:
- Do my people feel safe sharing ideas?
- Am I only pointing out mistakes but never appreciating effort?
- Do I treat everyone the same, or play favourites?
Small changes in how you speak and act can change your whole team’s mood.

Final Thoughts (From One Worker to Another)

Look, work will always have its tough days. Deadlines will chase you. Mistakes will slip in. But that doesn’t mean your office should feel like a toxic workplace where your spirit keeps getting crushed every day.

You deserve better. You deserve to be respected, heard, and supported no matter what your job title is.

And if your current workplace isn’t giving you that, then maybe it’s time to look out for yourself. Because jobs will come and go but your peace of mind, that’s not something you can buy back.

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May 20, 2025
5 Daily Habits That Actually Brought Me Mental Peace !

Let’s be real for a second—life’s noisy these days. Whether you’re staying in a small district town or somewhere busy like Bangalore, that daily mental load… it doesn’t really leave you, does it? Work calls, family expectations, Instagram reels till midnight, and still waking up with a tired head next day.

I’ve been there too. My mind used to feel cluttered all the time. Not serious mental illness maybe, but that constant feeling of being overwhelmed? The kind where nothing’s really wrong, but something never feels right either.

So I didn’t do anything fancy—no retreats, no expensive therapies. Just started with a few simple daily habits. Very normal things, but when done regularly, they made a big difference to how peaceful I feel inside.

Let me share what worked for me. Maybe it’ll help you too.

1. Don’t Touch Your Phone First Thing In The Morning

What I was doing before:
Wake up, unlock phone, straight into 10 missed messages, political news, some viral reel, and boom my head would already feel heavy before brushing.

Now what I do:
First 30 minutes, no phone. I sit quietly with my morning chai, maybe look at the plants outside or just sit in silence. It feels oddly calm.

Small tip that helped:
Keep your phone in another room while sleeping. Use a regular alarm clock, like old times. You’ll sleep deeper and start your day lighter.

2. Walk Daily (Even If It’s Just Your Corridor)

What I noticed:
My neighbour aunty, who’s almost 60, walks every evening for 15–20 minutes on her rooftop. She says her knees feel better and her mind feels fresher.

I followed the same. No fancy shoes, no gym. Just regular walk, even if it’s around the living room. It clears your head. Especially when done without screens or distractions.

Why it helps:
Walking isn’t just for fitness. It gives your thoughts space to breathe.

3. Finish One Small Task Before Noon

What it means:
Doesn’t have to be big—can be folding yesterday’s clothes, replying to one pending mail, or watering the plants.

How it helps:
Completing something early in the day gives your mind a push—like, “ok, I’ve done something today already.” It sets the mood for the rest of the day.

My personal example:
I clean the front porch every morning. It takes 10 minutes, but gives me that small proud feeling, like I’ve started the day right.

4. Speak To One Real Person (Not Just Messaging)

Let’s be honest—most of us spend the day replying to texts or reacting to reels, but actual conversation? Very rare.

What I do now:
I call my childhood friend in the evening. We talk nonsense for 10 minutes—memes, what’s cooking, weather. It gives me more peace than any motivational video.

Try this:
Call someone who won’t judge. No need for deep talks—just normal catch-up is enough.

5. No Screens At Least 30 Minutes Before Bed

Why I changed this:
Earlier I used to scroll till my eyes shut. But it messed up my sleep and dreams. Now I switch off all screens 30 minutes before bed.

What I do instead:
Sometimes I stretch lightly, sometimes I just stare at the moon from my window. I even write a small note of 2-3 things I’m thankful for that day. It brings calmness.

🌿 My Honest Take: Peace Is Already Around Us

We keep chasing peace like it’s locked inside some self-care app or therapy session. But actually, it’s sitting quietly next to us—in a quiet morning tea, in one real chat, in a 10-min walk on the rooftop.

These habits aren’t magic tricks. They won’t change your life in one week. But if you stick to even a few of them, something inside you starts to soften. And that small shift? That’s where peace begins.

So don’t overthink it. Pick any one and start today.

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April 22, 2025
Managing Stress in Everyday Life – Like We Actually Live It
Relief is possible — even if stress keeps showing up

Let’s be real — stress is not some new-age thing that only people in suits or startups feel. Our parents, even their parents, have lived with it in different ways. Maybe not about office calls or social media, but they had their own tension — like harvest going wrong, kids falling sick, or dealing with guests for a full week without notice.

I’ve seen it myself. During school exam time, I used to get proper stomach cramps — not because I didn’t study, but just out of nervousness. These days, I get that same feeling if I’m stuck in traffic in the middle of Bengaluru, battery at 1%, and no network to call anyone. Sound familiar?

But over time, I’ve realised one thing — stress won’t disappear completely. It comes in new ways each year, like a regular bill. So better to learn how to manage it calmly, rather than wait for it to vanish.

Why stress keeps visiting even without an invite

Sometimes I feel stress is like that distant uncle who shows up at odd times. No warning, no reason — just appears. Be it summer’s heat messing with your sleep or Diwali work piling up suddenly, it finds a way.

Few reasons it sticks around, in my view:
- One deadline ends, another begins — work just multiplies
- Money issues — some months are tight, no matter how hard you plan
- Health stuff — even a small fever throws off your balance
- Family matters — emotions, expectations, you name it
- No alone-time — we’re always “on”, even at home
Honestly, there’s no fixed season for stress. It doesn’t care if it’s summer or winter. That’s why we need year-round ways to deal with it — not just in January when resolutions are fresh.

Stress relief that actually fits in real life

You don’t need big budgets or fancy planners. Small habits work if you do them regularly. I’ve tried these myself, and they do help — in their own quiet way.

1. Breathing like you’re pausing the world

You don’t need yoga pants or a quiet beach. Just take a few slow breaths wherever you are.

Try this: Breathe in for 4… hold for 4… breathe out slow for 6-7 seconds.
Do this while waiting for your chai to boil or even while brushing your teeth.

Somehow it resets your mood. Like you press a small ‘refresh’ button inside.

2. Go for a walk — not for steps, just peace

Evening walks — not the gym ones, but just casual strolls — really work. A short walk around your block, under the trees, watching kids play, even dogs barking… it changes your state of mind.

Keep the phone aside. Just see the world around — leaves, sky, maybe aunty drying clothes on the line. It’s simple, but calming.

3. Chai breaks that aren’t about chai only

Ten minutes with your tea or filter coffee, just sitting and sipping slowly… it’s healing in a way.

Especially near a window or on the steps of your house. No calls, no scrolling — just staring at nothing. That silence can be louder than any advice.

4. Sleep — still the most ignored solution

We all know it helps. Still, we scroll till 1 AM and then blame the weather for next day’s headache.

Try keeping your phone across the room. Read a few pages of a book — not to finish, but just to relax your eyes and brain. And dinner by 8 PM actually helps more than you think.

5. Talk — even if it’s just one sentence

Sometimes you just want to say, “I’m tired of all this” — and not hear any solutions. That’s valid.

I’ve messaged my friend just to say “I can’t handle today.” And that simple sentence feels like a load off. If nobody’s around, write it down. Notes app, diary, even scrap paper — just release it.

6. Reduce screen-time in small patches

Nobody’s asking you to live in a forest. But even small digital pauses can help.
- No screen while eating
- Mute family groups after 9 PM
- One Sunday a month, use only physical books or newspapers
Bit by bit, it helps your brain feel lighter. Like giving it small holidays.

Old Indian ways that still calm the heart

We don’t always need outside techniques. Many simple things from our own culture already work:
- Tulsi plant at home — peaceful smell, good energy
- Champi once a week — trust me, that oil massage works wonders
- Morning bhajans or soft music — sets the day right
- Eating while sitting on the floor — slows you down, grounds your mood
We often ignore these because they seem too basic. But basic is what works.

What I’ve learned, in short

Managing stress doesn’t mean fighting it. It means recognising it and choosing small ways to ease it.

Some days, I sing old songs while cooking. Other days, I just stare at the ceiling for 15 minutes with no guilt. That’s all.

You don’t need permission to pause. Just take small steps today. Because if stress is your daily guest, then peace must also become your habit.

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April 17, 2025
IT Jobs Are a Stress Circus: Why Health and How to Fight Back

Let’s be honest: IT jobs are a rollercoaster. One minute you’re the genius saving the day, the next you’re drowning in tickets and praying the server holds. I’ve been poking around—checked out Spacelift’s take on IT stress, Cleveland Clinic’s health warnings, and a Reddit thread where IT folks vent like it’s therapy. The verdict? This gig can grind you down, mess with your body, and still leave you hooked. So, what’s making IT a pressure cooker, how’s it hitting us, and—most importantly—how do we not lose our minds?

Why IT Feels Like a Pressure Cooker

Spacelift dropped a stat that hit me: 73% of IT peeps are stressed at work, way more than the average Joe at 63%. Deadlines are insane—imagine a client screaming because the site’s down and it’s your fault. Plus, tech moves at warp speed; blink, and there’s a new framework you’re supposed to master. Over on Reddit, r/ITCareerQuestions folks spilled the tea—one guy’s juggling cranky users and crash courses on tools he’s never heard of, another’s stuck on-call like a tech ER doc.

Here’s my spin: IT’s not just work, it’s a lifestyle. You’re the fix-it hero, but that cape’s heavy when your phone’s buzzing at 2 a.m. Screw up? Everyone notices. It’s like living in a fishbowl with a ticking clock.

Your Body’s Screaming—Listen Up

Stress isn’t just “ugh, bad day.” Cleveland Clinic says it’s a full-on body attack—cortisol floods in, and suddenly you’re wired 24/7. Headaches? Check. Can’t sleep? Yup. Heart doing weird flips? That too. IT’s late nights and screen glare make it worse—Spacelift says 42% of DevOps wizards feel it hardest, probably because they’re herding complex systems like cats.

I’ve seen it IRL—pals in IT griping about sore backs from slouching or chugging espresso ‘til they’re jittery wrecks. Reddit had tales too: one dude said night shifts turned him into a zombie, another blamed stress for panic creeping in. Science backs it—chronic stress trashes your immune system, jacks up blood pressure, even knots your stomach. That pre-launch nausea? Your gut’s begging for a break.

What’s Feeding the Chaos?

Deadlines are only half the story. IT gets blamed when the wifi blinks—fair or not. Remote work sounds chill until you’re solo, troubleshooting in the dark. Spacelift mentions teams running on fumes—too few people, too many fires. And the “always-on” vibe? Brutal. One Redditor groaned about being glued to their phone like a lifeline. “I signed up to code, not play 911,” they said.

My hot take: it’s the unpredictability that gets you. Plan your day? Ha! A crash laughs in your face. You’re not just busy—you’re powerless, and that’s the real gut punch.

How to Not Crack: Real Talk

Good news—you can fight back. Cleveland Clinic’s all about basics: move your butt (a walk beats staring at error logs), breathe deep (seriously, it works). Spacelift says automate the boring stuff—less brain drain. Me? I say guard your time—mute that Slack after 6 p.m. if you can swing it. Reddit had gems too—one guy said “no” to extra shifts and lived to tell the tale.

I’m big on unplugging—grab a sketchbook or hit a trail, anything not glowing blue. Sleep’s gold; dim the lights, trick your brain into chilling. And vent—rant to a buddy or a shrink, don’t stew. Companies could help—flex hours or a “don’t die” day off would be clutch.

Wrap-Up: You’ve Got This (If You Want It)

IT’s a beast—thrilling, brutal, and a total health hazard if you let it. Tight deadlines, high stakes, and a hustle fetish keep the stress cranking. It’ll zap your energy, spike your anxiety, maybe even ding your ticker. But here’s the deal: a little self-love, some hard “nos,” and a boss who gets it can keep you sane. Next time the pressure’s on, step back, breathe. You’re tougher than the code and your health’s worth the fight.

March 27, 2025