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 leave positive messages for yourself to see regularly.

I haven’t ever really done this in a physical sense. I have tried to keep positive messages in mind, notice the good things in life, nature, and others, and in general try to keep my attitude positive. It doesn’t always work, but I have gotten better at realizing when I am being negative.

I decided to do this digitally. I have a couple friends that will reach out at times and send a positive note. That’s always good and I thought I’d leave myself a note digitally. I made myself an appointment for a random date and time. A small, 5 min item.

When this comes up, I’ll look at it, take a minute to remember, and then I’ll set another positive message for myself for a random 6-9 days in the future.

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 find a caring, calming phrase to use when you feel low.

I have emotional swings, much like most people. I certainly feel low at times, and I’ve noticed them more during the pandemic.

It might seem silly, and it’s a bit of a family joke, but the phrase from Stuart Smalley character of Al Franken often used is helpful.

“I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and doggone it, people like me.”

It lightens my mood, makes me smile, and it helps me to take a step back from whatever is bothering me. My wife has used this on me a few times, and I’m trying to adopt it as a way to cope.

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 if you’re busy, allow yourself to pause and take a break.

I suck at this. I mean, I am really bad at this. When I’m busy, I usually go from task to task. I get in the flow of some things, but often I have a disparate set of items to tackle, and I’ll keep going, forgetting to get up and take a break. I even sometimes make a pot of coffee, have one cup, and look up to find it’s 1:00pm. I’ve been at my desk for hours.

I do feel the stress sometimes, and I am trying to remind myself that taking 2-3 minutes to walk outside or stop and stare is OK. I might get lightly distracted on the Internet, but that’s not the same. I really should just take a break.

In the past I have had mixed success. Even the week I am writing this (13-17 Sep), I’m slightly better, but really it’s because I’m in a different environment.

I’ll try to keep this in mind in the coming days when I’m back at home. Stop, get up, take a break.

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 today and give your mind a natural boost.

I live in Colorado because of the great weather. My wife and I decided to move here for the views, the sun, and the ability to be outdoors most of the year.

Getting outside is a coping mechanism that I’ve enjoyed for most of my life.

Today this is easy. I’m working remotely in Santa Fe, where my wife is competing in a dressage show. While I’m working most of the day in our camper, I will get up and cook breakfast outside. I’ll walk over to the arenas to help my wife get ready and film a bit, and I hope to get a short hike in as well this afternoon.

Even when I’m working, with windows open, and a nice breeze, it almost feels like I’m outside as I can watch the views on the West side just outside of Santa Fe.