Mental strength is often used interchangeably with mental toughness, a term widely used in the world of sports to denote an athlete’s ability to handle difficulties and push themselves to the limits of their endurance. While toughness has its benefits for daily life, mental strength involves more than just toughness.
According to Amy Morin, a Licensed Psychotherapist, “mental strength means that you regulate your emotions, manage your thoughts, and behave in a positive manner, despite your circumstances. Developing mental strength is about finding the courage to live according to your values and being bold enough to create your own definition of success.”
Developing mental strength is about finding the courage to live according to your values and being bold enough to create your own definition of success.
Amy Morin
Your challenge may not be to win championships but you have goals you want to achieve in your health, relationships, work, spiritual or personal life. The path to goal achievement is never linear and obstacles are almost certain to arise. That’s why mental strength is a key requirement for any accomplishment.
Managing the mind is essential because successes and failures begin with the mind.
All battles are first won or lost in the mind.
Joan of Arc
The good news is, just like you can build physical strength with exercise, rest and nutrition, you can build mental strength. It takes intention and consistent practice.
Some habits that can help you build mental health include:
- Honour your values. Make decisions that align with your values and give you a sense of peace.
- Practice presence. Whatever moment you find yourself in, be fully present. Presence reduces worry about what has been or might be.
- Stay open to learning. Explore your interests; take up something new. Learning sharpens the mind and boosts confidence.
- Nurture your gifts. Use and develop your gifts and talents; they were given to you for a purpose.
- Develop an attitude of gratitude. Like the old chorus goes, “Count your blessings, name them one by one.” Gratitude gives perspective.
- Be bold. Every time you do something that scares you, you build yourself up for the next difficult thing.
- Show grace. Be kind to yourself when things don’t go as expected. Hopefully, it’s not news that you’re not perfect. Forgive others because it frees your heart of emotional clog and allows you live unshackled.
- Embrace a life of service. Acts of service fuel the giver even more than they do the recipient. Find someone to serve.
- Bounce back. It’s not uncommon to experience setbacks. Resolve to get back up and hold on to hope for a brighter day.
- Exercise self-control. Just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should. Only do things that are beneficial in the long term.
- Build community. Invite others into your life and share in theirs. Choose people that will support and challenge you. We are stronger together.
- Set aside quiet time. Spend time in prayer and meditating on Scripture to ground yourself and remember what is true.
Mental strength gives you the fortitude to go after the goals you want to achieve; withstand or recover from obstacles you may encounter; and purposefully build the life that you were created for.
What one habit helps you develop mental strength?
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