Tag: coping

I started to add a daily coping tip to the SQLServerCentral newsletter and to the Community Circle, which is helping me deal with the issues in the world. I’m adding my responses for each day here. All my coping tips are under this tag. 

Today’s tip is to eat mindfully. Appreciate the taste, texture, and smell of your food.

I enjoy food, though I often like comfort, simple food. I’m not much of a “foodie” and fancy meals don’t do a lot for me. I say this, having been at a couple very expensive meals with Brent Ozar.

Recently a friend sent us some seafood from the East Coast. Mostly some crab soup, crab cakes, and dip. I’m not a big crab fan, but my wife is. I cooked the meal, and then tried to sit down and enjoy the taste of the food. I gave it a chance, and tried to appreciate it. Some things I liked, some I didn’t much care about, so I let me wife have my extra.

I’m also learning to cook for 2, since all the kids are gone. I’ve been trying some new recipes, but also slowing down my eating with my wife, trying to taste the food, and enjoy (or not) it. Even when it’s something simple, like eggs and vegetables in the morning, I am taking more time to eat and appreciate the meal.

A far cry from the many “grab something at my desk” days for lunch.

I started to add a daily coping tip to the SQLServerCentral newsletter and to the Community Circle, which is helping me deal with the issues in the world. I’m adding my responses for each day here. All my coping tips are under this tag. 

Today’s tip is to bring to mind people you care about and send love to them.

My direct family is very important to me, and I try to think about them and let them know regularly. Extended family less, but they are still people I care and worry about.

However, there are others in the community that I contact less, and I want to take time to think about them for a few minutes. I don’t want to name people directly, but I’ll generally remember think about them in this post.

I have a friend that is struggling with work and professional changes during the pandemic. We’ve been trying to get together, but it’s been hard. I sympathize, but I also know how busy I can get and how stress can increase if friends are reaching out a lot. As a result, I’ve tried to not put pressure on us getting together. Just a few “hope you’re doing well” notes.

Another friend is in a new role. Busy, trying to impress, trying to do more, and enjoying it. I’m hoping this person is doing well and I’m looking forward to seeing them sometime in the next year.

I’ve got someone I used to see regularly in my travels, and have enjoyed many drinks and meals over the years. I’m missing those interactions, but I see from their activity that they seem to be coping, probably better than I have been. I’m cheering them on today.

I started to add a daily coping tip to the SQLServerCentral newsletter and to the Community Circle, which is helping me deal with the issues in the world. I’m adding my responses for each day here. All my coping tips are under this tag.

Today’s tip is to talk three calm breaths at regular intervals during the day.

Stop for a minute, and take a few breaths. I’ve learned that from practicing yoga. For a few years, I pushed to adopt poses and work as quickly as I could. Then I realized that breathing really matters, and slowing my breath can be challenging.

I’ve also seen that breathing deep at different points in my day can relax my body. It can reduce some stress, and it clears my head.

I’m not big on meditation, but I do like to pause at times and breath. Consciously, deeply, and controlled.

I started to add a daily coping tip to the SQLServerCentral newsletter and to the Community Circle, which is helping me deal with the issues in the world. I’m adding my responses for each day here. All my coping tips are under this tag. 

Today’s tip is to notice how you speak to yourself. Try to use kind words.

I can be hard on myself. If I don’t get something done that I planned, or I skip out on some activity, I get a little annoyed with myself. My long running streak was the result of this attitude, but it can be unhealthy if I don’t have flexibility with myself.

As I get older, and hopefully a little wiser, I to be more understanding of the choices I make and the benefits or costs of each. Skipping the gym isn’t necessarily a bad choice, depending on why. I’m also learning to better listen to the state of my physical and mental health on a regular basis.

As a result, I try not to berate myself, or not to denigrate myself. I’m trying to continue to push myself to be better, but understand that a step backwards at times is OK. Remind myself of the accomplishments and then encourage myself to move forward again tomorrow.