Notes

Work has been a big source of stress for me the last few years. My role has shifted into more of a managerial one lately, and the task of looking after and caring for my staff on top of my regular work load has been anxiety inducing to say the least. I'm not sure if the pandemic has increased the stress, or just changed the nature of it in a way that has rendered some of my previous coping mechanisms less effective. I've found myself feeling more anxious lately and having to find health ways to adapt.

Without as much of the social connection because of the pandemic, and stuck in the depth of a cold, Canadian winter, SGN has been that social interaction that hasn't existed elsewhere. Whether it's gaming with you all, watching your streams or just hanging out and chatting, this community has been an important part of my mental wellness. Above and beyond gaming, the projects I take on for the community give me a sense of purpose and a hobby to occupy my down-time. I think we're all eager to get back out into the world and resume a sense of normality, but I'm thankful for you all and the friendships we've formed here. The journey through lockdown would've been a lot more challenging without you.

My own coping strategies, some healthy / some maybe not, are:

1. Gaming: Losing myself in a different world for a while. I think we can all appreciate this escapism and while too much of anything can obviously be unhealthy, a few hours of this a day does help me clear my mind and forget about the stressors of the world
2. Projects: Gaming can get boring after a while. The recipe for so many games is Battle Pass style grinding that while incentivizing, can be draining if you have a few games on the go. Instead of hardcore leveling, I like to take on projects for SGN - whether that's a community event I'm planning or a forum post I want to make to get discussion going. I enjoy giving back to the community and it's become a hobby for me that occupies my time in what I like to think, is a healthy way.
3. Music: I like leaning back in my chair, closing my eyes, burning some incense and listening to music while day dreaming. Whether it's throwing on some of the Star Trek soundtracks I have on vinyl or just old fashioned listening to tunes, it's a great form of escapism for me. Because the visual input isn't there like it is when playing video games, I supplement my music listening experience with incense to help carry my mind away to somewhere else. I get most of my creative project ideas like this.
4. Getting Out: Like any community or group of friends that you're with for extended periods of time, too much of anything isn't necessarily a healthy thing. While I love our community and gaming, there's nothing more mind clearing than going for a daily walk with the dogs (if they're behaving), finding a nice, remote vista to sit down at for a while and taking in the world around me, with my best buds in my arms and deeply breathing the fresh air. This is the best way I've found to clear my mind, body and soul. It's important to do this regularly and not just when stress has overwhelmed you to the point where this is the last line of defense.

If you're needing some ideas for how to cope, hopefully you can find some ideas in mine. We're here for you if you need us - don't be afraid to reach out.