6 Ways to Improve Your Mental Strength

Have you ever wondered why some people just seem to be mentally "stronger" than others?

Have you questioned whether this was an innate gift some were both with, or something they worked hard to acquire? Have you even asked why you yourself might not be as mentally "tough" as you might like?

"Physical strength measures what you can do. Mental strength measures whether you will actually do it." - Tim Grover

All of these questions are natural. In fact, we would actually say, they are downright normal.

The truth is, we all go through "periods", or "seasons", in which we wish like hell we were tougher. Mentally, and or, physically.

While this, on its face, absolutely sucks, it is this thing we call life. But, lo and behold, we have some good news...

...you can become mentally stronger. It is not, in fact, something we are born with, but something we learn, either through our upbringing, or through our life experiences.

So, with that said, if you are someone who would like to know some of the "tricks of the trade" for those mentally strong people you might find yourself envying at times, here you go, 6 Ways to Improve Your Mental Strength...

Choose Your Thoughts Wisely

Whether you want to hear it or not, accept it or not, you have control over your thoughts.

There is no doubt that our emotions will, often times, make our initial, immediate attempts to control and choose our thoughts difficult, but difficult does not mean impossible.

This dilemma, this fight, between heart and head, is merely part of being human.

Once an individual finally acknowledges and accepts such control, they can, and will likely begin to look for, and ultimately find ways to improve the thoughts that run through their minds.

Remember, accepting responsibility is KEY and everything is a DECISION.

Although it might not always feel like it, the thoughts that you have, that you allow to stay, or force to go, are all decisions, or a lack thereof. (Which, for the record, is still a decision.)

Stop for a moment, ask yourself and be honest. Are you positive, or negative by nature? Do you see the proverbial glass as half full or half empty? (Maybe you are lucky enough to know it doesn't matter how much is in THAT glass you can always change it with a DECISION to do so.)

Once you know your current state of mind, your starting point, you can accept the power you have to change, or control your thoughts, and thus begin to immediately improve your mental strength.

Be warned, no progress will be made until the aforementioned responsibility is accepted.

Limit the Length of the Pity Party

How long you sulk matters. It really, really does!

So please, please, please, when things go wrong, limit the amount of time you allow yourself to wallow.

Again, another decision!

We don't care what you need to do when these moments arise, but one of the most important things you can do is to force yourself to spend as little time as possible on the ISSUE or PROBLEM, whatever they may be.

After all, no progress has ever been made focusing on the negative!

Instead, take stock of the issue, and in very short order, allow yourself to run through any immediate or initial emotions before saying ENOUGH, it is time to move to a SOLUTION!

Hell, without sounding too funny, maybe you should even consider setting a timer when you find yourself upset over something.

Before you laugh, you might well be amazed how such goofy little tricks can change not only the amount of time lost or wasted, but one's overall happiness levels as well.

But again, giving something as silly as this a try is...A DECISION!

Starting to see a pattern yet?

Embrace Change

We are going to be very frank here so please pay close attention. The individuals who can ADAPT the quickest are not only the mentally strongest, but almost certainly the happiest too.

We think it goes without saying, change is guaranteed to happen. Throughout the course of our lives right?

While we certainly understand that the majority of the population does not like it, does not enjoy it, there is little to be gained by trying to fight it. In fact, fighting change is often downright counterproductive.

Change will happen. Time and again. Over and over. When we want it to happen, and when we don't.

The mentally toughest among us, expect change. And more importantly, they accept it when it occurs, as quickly as possible , and then adapt.

You have almost certainly heard the term, roll with the punches. While this term comes from boxing, it applies to life just as well.

Maybe, just maybe, when change rears its head again, you should try to immediately remind yourself to roll with it and see how quickly your mental approach changes for the better.

Now, lets change it up a bit and have some fun!

Smile More and Laugh Often

There is absolutely no question, the mentally strongest among us tend to live the happiest of lives. These individuals seem to appreciate life more. They tend to stress less. And yes, they smile more and laugh often.

So, if you wanted to know what we believe the easiest of our tips and tricks for greater mental strength would be, it is this one, Smile More, Laugh Often!

The simple act of smiling, even when forced, has been show to boost serotonin levels in the brain, reducing stress.

Research also suggests that smiling improves mood by releasing endorphins, minimizes pain, lowers blood pressure, improves immunity, enhances relationships and creates a more youthful appearance. Do you really need another reason to smile more?

Now, what about laughter? Well we think it should be pretty clear, if smiling is good, laughing is great. No?

You see, laughing doesn't just affect the mental side of things, it also stimulates the heart, lungs, muscles and brain through enhanced oxygen uptake.

Better circulation, less tension and guess what, you're not able to laugh AND be angry at the same time. Go ahead, try it! (Please video and submit for OUR amusement!)

Learn, Learn, Learn

Education is key to everything, isn't it?

Seriously, stop and think about it for a moment. Education of any sort is beneficial and can make bad better, good great, can turn a loss into a gain, right?

Every experience in life, good or bad, when properly viewed, is at the very least, an education. Therefore, if you are learning, you are becoming mentally stronger, not just smarter.

The more you learn, the more you experience, the more you know. And the more you know, the better you are able to deal with life, as you live it.

Said another way, continued education leads to greater mental strength!

It probably goes without saying, but we want to be sure it is not overlooked. Fear, more often than not, comes from the unknown and/or a lack of preparation. Therefore, containing to learn will, over time, minimize fear as well.

All of which is to say NEVER STOP LEARNING!

Celebrate All Success

Success begets success! And guess what, it doesn't have to even be your own success. Nope!

Let's be really clear once again here. Mentally strong individuals do not relish in envy or jealousy. Quite the contrary. They celebrate all success, irrelevant of who it is that is succeeding.

These people know the power of the mind. They understand that wasting time and energy on faulty traits such as envy or jealousy detracts from their focus, and thus, their ability to create the success they desire.

Remember, we only have so much willpower, and so much mental and emotional bandwidth with which to function on a daily basis. Using it in the wrong ways, or in the wrong places, absolutely kills mental strength.

Keep in mind, your mental strength is really no different than your muscles. The stresses you place on the mind will either enhance or detract from your strength levels.

If you are focused on negativity (comparison, envy, jealousy, etc) your mental strength levels will atrophy (decline, decrease, shrink), but the more you focus on the positive, the stronger your mental strength will grow.

As goes your focus, so goes your future!- Jason J. Horsley

Do whatever you can, whenever possible, to celebrate success stories, even if they are merely ones you read about. The stories alone will most likely have an impact not just on your mental strength, but possibly your excitement and motivation levels as well.

Can you say WIN-WIN?

Mentally Stronger, Emotionally Happier

As if we really needed to give you any reason in the world to want to be mentally stronger. Not likely, but the stronger one is mentally, the happier they are emotionally!

Who doesn't want to live a happier, and thus healthier, life? Anyone?

We think not!

So, hopefully, if nothing else, you understand, after reading here, that emotional strength is not set in stone. It is not a gift given to the few. It is not a birthright.

Mental strength can always be increased, irrelevant of one's starting point, education, life lessons, etc.

In fact, the only thing keeping you from being as mentally strong as you choose? You! Yes, you and you alone!

So, why not accept that responsibility right here, right now, and start making the adjustments you can, and should make, in short order, to improve your mental strength.

We have no doubt you will absolutely fall in love with outcome!

Always Remember...

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Until next time...PROGRESS, not PERFECTION!

Don't forget, always consult your physician before making any changes to your diet or exercise regimen.

Live a 3D Life...Decisions Determine Destinations!