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.

Today’s tip is to get a long hug from someone that is important to you.

I’ve seen research in the past that hugs are beneficial. A couple years ago my wife said that a 10s hug is a good idea, and I started to try it. Those of you that know me well and have seen me at an event in the last year might have gotten a long, perhaps slightly uncomfortable hug.

My apologies if you felt that way,  but most people tense up after 2 seconds, but relax after 5 and go with it, especially when I explain they’re here for 10 seconds. A few people, including one of my son’s, have started to look forward to them.

We had dinner with a friend recently, and when I walked up, she stood up, ready for her “bear hug”, as she calls it. It was a nice ten seconds, both of us whispering how good it was to see each other.

A bonus for her, since she got 20s of hugs, one each from my wife and I.

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.

Today’s tip is to try a new recipe or food.

I realize that not everyone likes to cook. I know some of you don’t even love food like I do. However, we all eat, and food can bring joy to your life, whether that’s ordering something different from a restaurant or preparing something new.

My wife got me to watch Chef, which was quite enjoyable for me. When we finished, she said she’d never had a Cuban sandwich. I was surprised, thought not as surprised as her. I’ve had them numerous times when I’ve visited places with lots of Cuban food, like Miami.

I would have made her one, but before I could, we were out one day and decided to look for Cuban food. We found a place and she tried one. I did, too

In any case, I also ordered some other items. I got some Maduros and a Palermo. I hadn’t tried those before, though I have had plantains in some recipes. I enjoyed these much more, and I’ll be looking for some recipes to try at home to expand my cooking.

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.

Today’s tip is to go for a drive or a solitary walk and enjoy the changing scenery.

This tip actually came from my wife. I was a little overwhelmed by the announcement of various companies and organizations extending their lockdown into the fall. This includes Redgate, where it seems like we’ve abandoned any changes in 2020 and this is our way of working until at least 2021. If schools don’t open, then maybe not until H2 2021.

In any case, she suggested going for a drive as a relatively safe way of changing our environment. I wasn’t sure, but I agreed. So one afternoon, she stopped work early and we headed out. No real destination in mind, but I drove a random route through Denver, heading north. It was good to wander through some places I haven’t been in a long time, and after a couple hours, I looped over to my son’s apartment, grabbed him for a light meal, and then heading back home.

A wasted 4-5 hours of not getting thing done, but a good coping mechanism for me.

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.

Today’s tip is to remember that you are not alone, we all struggle at times.

I know that I’m not alone, and I have empathy for others that feel as I do. My wife reminds of this, especially the last couple weeks as I’m struggling to cope with the unending view forward of this pandemic and the limitations on life.

Hearing that message over and over was good. From the club director where I coach volleyball, from a couple friends, from my wife. It has helped.