We can maintain our own mental health by reducing unnecessary thoughts and embedding loving-kindness and compassion in our daily lives.

On World Mental Health Day this year, the looming shadow of Covid-19 continues to trigger factors leading to mental suffering and illness such as the demise of loved ones, threat of new virus variants, loss of jobs and income, prolonged financial distress and family issues arising from long isolation.  Stress is also faced by medical frontliners who experience exhaustion and even severe burnout from long working hours.

To alleviate these pressures, guard the mind from over-thinking so that fears and frustrations do not cloud our thoughts.  When we can sustain clarity in the mind, we are more able to cope with each challenge and focus on the solutions within our control.  Being ever cognisant of the truths of dukkha (suffering), anicca (impermanence) and non-self (anatta) also enables us to develop acceptance and make peace with the situation.

This clarity and calm help not just ourselves, but everyone around us because what we say or do will inevitably affect them.  Let us consider first what others need so that we can maintain harmlessness in our words and actions.  Furthermore, by giving our care to those who need it most, we keep anxiety at bay and our mind steeped in loving-kindness and compassion.  May you be well and happy.