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 get really absorbed in an interesting or creative activity.

I try to engage in some creative pastimes in my life, but often I don’t have the time to work on them. That’s been especially true lately.

A couple of nights last week my wife was busy. Rather than read or watch TV, I got my guitar, opened up YouTube, and spent an hour working through learning a song. At least until my fingers were hurting.

Didn’t completely learn anything, but I did improve some skills and enjoyed the time doing so.

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 stop. Breath. Notice. Repeat regularly.

Yoga has helped me to appreciate this. I will stop and breathe while coaching, especially at tournaments. I’ve used this as I prep to deliver a session as well. Stop, breathe deep, often raise my arms and stretch.

I’ve also found this good for focus, or for trying to relax. I’ve written about box breathing, but today I’m taking a few minutes to breathe and look, rather than think about something specific.

Just breathe, sit, and look out at the world.

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 get outside and notice how the weather feels.

I haven’t done much of this lately. It was cold in Denver for lots of Feb/Mar, and in London I was busy inside, running from place to place. I did like walking a little outside, but the walks were short.

I did, however, get a bit of a walk. The train dropped me off at the West side of the ExCel center. My hotel was about a mile away on the East side. I started to a restaurant to get some food, but since they were not open yet, I decided to walk to the hotel. Rather than going back along the North side of ExCel, where the train was, or inside, I took a slightly longer route along the Thames.

It was a pleasant day, about 50F/10C, a bit of a breeze, but not too bad. I plopped a cap on my head and sunglasses on my face. I walked along, looking at the water and the sites. It was a bit chilly, but invigorating. I had enough clothing to not feel chilled in my core, but the wind and cold air kept me from being too warm.

I breathed deep, enjoying the sensations of a a wonderful day in London, at least mentally. I wouldn’t want to be outside for a long time, but the walk reminded me to appreciate I wasn’t in a rainy (or snowy) London, and I was in London. One of my favorite cities.

As a note, I was in Greenwich and it snowed in London. Another not so great day, but one that I appreciated walking around and enjoyed the chilly weather.

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 stay fully present while drinking your tea or coffee.

I tried to do this last week at SQL Bits with a few people. I drink a lot of coffee at events, perhaps too much, but at times I’d get a cup and then find someone to chat with. I’d listen and focus on them for the 5-10 minutes we might talk. I’ve found it to be an interesting and helpful way to spend time with people that I see rarely, or those I’ve just met.

I want my energy to be with them, and not be distracted. I try to put my phone in a pocket, and just be with them. This doesn’t always work, but I am trying to be better.

It’s something I enjoy, and I look forward to doing more at future events.