Mental strength requires healthy habits, exercise, and hard work. The tips below arm us to manage life’s hardships, setbacks, and heartbreaks. Mental strength isn’t about acting tough; it’s about being empowered to overcome our challenges."
1. Express gratitude:
Whether you keep a gratitude journal or you make it a habit to say what you’re thankful for every day, express your gratitude. When you see or think about parents remember how kind they were to you as an infant and a child as they changed you, fed you, clothed you, cared for you when sick, played with you, traveled with you, sang with you, danced with you or brought you to playgrounds for good times (among other delightful memories). Help maintain a brighter outlook on life by being positive. The best news is, being thankful, is an attitude that you can choose and it requires no extra time out of your busy life.
Whether you keep a gratitude journal or you make it a habit to say what you’re thankful for every day, express your gratitude. When you see or think about parents remember how kind they were to you as an infant and a child as they changed you, fed you, clothed you, cared for you when sick, played with you, traveled with you, sang with you, danced with you or brought you to playgrounds for good times (among other delightful memories). Help maintain a brighter outlook on life by being positive. The best news is, being thankful, is an attitude that you can choose and it requires no extra time out of your busy life.
2. Step outside your comfort zone
Doing something every day that causes a little discomfort is key to self-growth. Praising family members that you have had a difference of opinion with or recognizing the efforts of others to live and make do the best they can. Not only will you learn more about yourself, but you’ll also gain confidence in your ability to relate to others and do things that are difficult.
Doing something every day that causes a little discomfort is key to self-growth. Praising family members that you have had a difference of opinion with or recognizing the efforts of others to live and make do the best they can. Not only will you learn more about yourself, but you’ll also gain confidence in your ability to relate to others and do things that are difficult.
3. Be alone with your thoughts
Hectic schedules, digital devices and the pressure to be productive mean there’s little room for quiet time. But setting aside just 10 minutes a day to be alone with your thoughts is essential to building mental strength. Journaling positive things, meditating on good qualities or just soaking in the silence with gratitude can help you develop a healthier mindset.
Hectic schedules, digital devices and the pressure to be productive mean there’s little room for quiet time. But setting aside just 10 minutes a day to be alone with your thoughts is essential to building mental strength. Journaling positive things, meditating on good qualities or just soaking in the silence with gratitude can help you develop a healthier mindset.
4. Practice self-compassion
The conversations you have with yourself play a critical role in the way you feel and behave. Talk to yourself like a trusted friend. Create a supportive and encouraging inner monologue that will also give you a firm reality check when necessary.
The conversations you have with yourself play a critical role in the way you feel and behave. Talk to yourself like a trusted friend. Create a supportive and encouraging inner monologue that will also give you a firm reality check when necessary.
5. Assert your personal power:
Refuse to use language like, “My mother makes me feel bad,” or “My boss makes me work late.” Those statements can be reframed into something more empowering, like, “My mother doesn’t control how I feel. I’m responsible for my emotions.” Or: “There will be consequences if I don’t work late, but it’s still my choice.”
Refuse to use language like, “My mother makes me feel bad,” or “My boss makes me work late.” Those statements can be reframed into something more empowering, like, “My mother doesn’t control how I feel. I’m responsible for my emotions.” Or: “There will be consequences if I don’t work late, but it’s still my choice.”
6. Label your emotions:
Your emotions play a major role in every decision you make. Identify how you’re feeling, and take a moment to consider how those emotions influence your choices. You’ll make the wisest decisions when your emotions and your logic are balanced.
Your emotions play a major role in every decision you make. Identify how you’re feeling, and take a moment to consider how those emotions influence your choices. You’ll make the wisest decisions when your emotions and your logic are balanced.
7. Use your mental energy wisely:
You only have so much time and energy. Focusing on things you can’t control, rehashing what happened yesterday and worrying about what might happen tomorrow wastes your precious resources. Devote your brain power to productive activities, like solving problems and reframing overly negative thoughts.
You only have so much time and energy. Focusing on things you can’t control, rehashing what happened yesterday and worrying about what might happen tomorrow wastes your precious resources. Devote your brain power to productive activities, like solving problems and reframing overly negative thoughts.
Amy Morin is a psychotherapist, keynote speaker and mental strength trainer. She is the author of 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do.
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Grace and I while visiting family in New England
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