Recently in the Living Our Faith feature, we asked readers to respond to the question: What are you doing to maintain your mental health during the pandemic? The following are some of the thoughtful responses.

This column is part of our ongoing opinion commentary on faith, called Living Our Faith. Find this weeks reader question and get weekly roundups of the project in your email inbox by signing up for the Living Our Faith newsletter.

What I missed most from being safe at home was interaction with other people. So two weeks into the stay-at-home order, our Sunday school class of 50- to 60-year-olds learned how to Zoom. We meet virtually each Sunday for our time of Bible study and fellowship. Just talking to each other about what we are feeling and how we are dealing with things is really helping us. Our faith is strong and we know we are not alone as we go through this pandemic.

Danita White, Grand Prairie

On March 10, I weighed 190 pounds and decided to lose weight through consistent exercise and a revised food plan, in conjunction with the addition of supplements. I visited with a dietician who addressed a food plan consisting of fish, vegetables, fruits, protein drinks and the noted supplements. She developed a training program consisting of cycling, treadmill walking-running, weight training, crunches, etc., (all at home, in my garage I converted into a workout room).

I dropped to 168 pounds and have now stabilized between 172-174, which is my ideal weight. There are no words to describe how wonderful I feel. I occasionally have a glass of wine, but my desire for alcohol has completely faded. Reading books and listening to motivational speakers on YouTube have contributed to extraordinary physical and mental well-being.

J.D. Gonzales, Dallas

Im not sure I would call what were doing as maintaining mental health as much as I would call it moving forward or just maybe just plain living day-to-day. We have kept up our routines with household chores, TV starts with the evening news during the week unless theres a sporting event and a walk each day.

We keep up with events and people through emails, phone calls, Zoom. We have tried new things like a Zoom wedding, online courses and connecting with family and friends with Zoom. We like to travel, which isnt happening now so instead, I plan what Ive named field trips each week. Its a trip by car, somewhere close that we havent been, it gets us out for a few hours and we see something new.

I think what has helped us through this difficult time is trying new ways to keep moving forward with our lives and keeping connections with family and friends. Speaking of connecting, I have written letters and emailed people I havent been in touch with lately, thats been fun. I set a goal of 3 per week since being at home, think of it as a holiday card list without the holiday.

Perri Brackett, Lewisville

I have cooked a lot of healthy food, trying new recipes, and grown a big herb garden, pickling cucumbers we grew in the garden. I have wanted to write a country western song and have put pen to paper to try to start that. Reading a lot of books, Zooming with friends and bicycling. Reading a lot of political commentary and learning more about implicit bias and the history of systemic racism in the U.S.

Elena Bourke, Plano

We received a number of responses from members of the Bahai Faith to a prior question about what people of faith can do to heal racial division. The following is a thoughtful example.

As a Bahai, I believe the fundamental truth that humanity is one, but it is not enough simply to believe this in our hearts, we need to create the moral imperative to act, and to view all aspects of our personal, social and institutional lives through the lens of oneness and justice.

It requires the participation of Americans of every race and background, for it is only through principles of love, reciprocity and inclusive participation that new moral and social directions can emerge. We should also remember that our diversity is our strength, and it is simply beautiful, like a garden with flowers of different kinds, colors and perfumes.

The role of religion as an enduring source of insight concerning human purpose and action cannot be overemphasized in this process. All faith communities recognize that we are essentially spiritual beings. All proclaim some version of the Golden Rule, to love others as we do ourselves.

On a practical level, we are trying to ensure that each person we engage feels welcome to participate in our community activities. Some might attend devotional gatherings and eventually engage with us in study and service. Some families may first associate with us by engaging children or junior youth in their respective activities of childrens classes and junior youth groups, characterized by twofold moral purpose, to develop their inherent potentialities and to contribute to the transformation of society, through service to the community and engaging in social action and more involvement in the community life.

Kambiz Rafraf, Dallas

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What are you doing to maintain your mental health during the pandemic? Your responses. - The Dallas Morning News