Coping Archives

Inspirational Bible Verses for Grief & Loss

Jennifer TzoumasApril 22, 2021April 25, 2021Leave a comment

We are living in uncertain times, and it is okay to acknowledge feelings of grief and loss. However, if you are a person of faith, you can find comfort in turning to these specific scripture verses. While grief is often associated with the death of a loved one, you can experience the pain of loss in a variety of circumstances. Particularly now, in the midst of this pandemic, grief is quickly becoming commonplace. Not only are people losing others they care about due to the virus but they are losing experiences, jobs, relationships, and even just the sense of normalcy.

Nothing surprises the Lord. You can find verses on grief throughout the Bible because God knows the suffering of his people and the ache of loss. He wants to provide comfort.

The Benefits and Mental Health Boost of Volunteering in Your Community

Jennifer TzoumasApril 15, 2021April 8, 2021Leave a comment

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

Everyone can recognize the obvious benefits of volunteering. It allows you to get out in your community and do something good for others. Depending on the group or organization, you could really be making a difference with just a few hours of work. But, there are many personal benefits to volunteering, as well. That includes giving your mental health a boost. Simply put, you’ll probably feel better after volunteering for a cause you’re passionate about.

Cultivating Laughter During Difficult Times

Jennifer TzoumasMarch 18, 2021March 7, 2021Leave a comment

Cultivating laughter in difficult times.

Everyone’s heard the saying, “laughter is the best medicine”. But, like many other old sayings, you might take those words with a grain of salt.

In this case, however, that old statement isn’t far from the truth. There are many benefits to laughing, even in the most difficult of times.

The Collective Trauma of COVID-19 Pandemic

Jennifer TzoumasMarch 11, 2021March 11, 2021Leave a comment

Although there is hope on the horizon with the rollout of vaccines, the toll of COVID on individuals, families, and society has been high. Because we’ve been dealing with this virus for so long, our responses have changed. The term “collective trauma” has been used more than once to describe what everyone is going through.

A “Day of Unplugging”: What It is and Why You Should Participate

Jennifer TzoumasMarch 4, 2021March 4, 2021Leave a comment

Do you need a Day of Unplugging? Think about how often you look at your phone each day. How much time do you spend on social media? How many hours do you spend playing games on your tablet?

The reality is, most of us are on some kind of device around the clock. For many, checking your phone first thing in the morning has become a habit, and spending all day in front of technology is the norm.

Suffering Succotash: Reducing the “Dirty Pain” of Suffering in Life

Anthony TzoumasFebruary 25, 2021February 25, 2021Leave a comment

Limiting the Suffering that Comes in Life

Have you over felt swamped by your emotions? Do you ever feel overwhelmed by your feelings in situations? Do you notice that at times you get stuck in your emotional responses to life events? Well then maybe you may be getting sunk by the suffering that comes with "dirty pain".

4 Ways Mindfulness Helps Self-Compassion

Jennifer TzoumasJanuary 28, 2021January 3, 2021Leave a comment

More and more, mindfulness is being shown to offer incredible benefits for both physical and emotional health, including greater self-compassion. Mindfulness encompasses several main ideas and goals. These include increasing our awareness of the present moment and accepting our thoughts and experiences as they are. They also include learning to be intentional about our thoughts and actions.

Limiting our Experience of Suffering

Jennifer TzoumasJanuary 21, 2021April 8, 2021Leave a comment

No one wants to experience pain or suffering. Just as we are hard wired to physically recoil from a hot stove, we are hard wired to want to avoid emotional pain and heartache. Yet, sometimes we find ourselves stuck "marinating" in the misery or making our pain more miserable in the way we address it.