Mental Strength is the capacity of an individual to deal effectively with stressors, pressures, and challenges and perform to the best of their ability.
Building mental strength is fundamental to living your best life. Just as we go to the gym and lift weights to build our physical muscles, we must also develop our mental health through the use of mental tools and techniques.
Optimal mental health helps us to live a life that we love, have meaningful social connections, and have positive self-love. It also aids in our ability to take risks, try new things, and cope with any difficult situations that life may throw at us.
Mental strength involves developing daily habits that build mental muscle. It also involves giving up bad habits that hold you back. This was personally my biggest challenge, once I did this, my peace, my self-love, and awareness were so clear. I’m so grateful I saw the value in doing this work for myself, I invested time, energy, did therapy, and was patient to see the results I am experiencing now!
Here are my top must-dos to build strong mental health and protect your energy…
Practice Saying “No” without Explanation
As a society, we’ve decided somewhere along the lines that we have to have a reason for saying no, and not wanting to do something isn’t a good enough reason. If you find yourself in that line of thinking, then throw it out.
Learn to say no. You don’t have to explain your actions or validate your decisions to anyone about why you don’t want to do something. Protect your energy! The pandemic taught me this so much!
Practice 20 Minutes of Self-Care Daily
It doesn’t matter who you are or what you do, if you don’t take some time to really deeply care for yourself, you’ll eventually run your well dry and not be able to love and care for those around you.
Self-care can be something as complex as having a manicure or spa day, or as simple as locking yourself in the bathroom for five minutes just to have some alone time. Also, always buy that new lipstick!
Set a Goal for at Least 8 Hours of Sleep a Night
This is huge! You’ve seen small children lose their minds when they are too tired. Adults are the same way, only we don’t usually end up eventually passed out in the middle of our dinner plate. When you’re too tired, you make poor decisions, your mental strength goes down. I try hard not to make big decisions when I am tired and not clear.
Cut Your Social Media Time in Half
We tend to put our best foot forward on social media, and this can end up with us trying to compare our lives to the highlights reel of another person’s life. Doing so can leave you feeling awful and discontent about where you are in life and the great things you’ve accomplished. It can also cause you to forget how many great lives you touch throughout the day by being the amazing person you are. Detaching from social media has helped me be more present, and that is a beautiful thing!
Put up at Least Three Inspirational Quotes to Read Daily
When things get tough and you feel like you’re not making progress, uplifting words can go a long way toward keeping you on track.
Take the time to post a few inspiring quotes or pictures. My favorite poem is “Don’t Quit!” My father gave it to me many years ago and it sits on my vanity as an inspiring daily reminder.
Visualize Your Goals for 10 Minutes Daily
Take the time to visualize the end result of your goals and also the challenges you’ll overcome in between.
Stop Indulging in Relationships or Activities Which Drain You of Energy
Go where you’re celebrated. Do things that leave you feeling joyful. Make yourself mentally stronger by building positive relationships and letting go of toxic ones.
Letting go of toxic relationships or places isn’t easy but, you have to commit to being stronger. Without the mental and emotional drain, you’ll find more energy and more happiness throughout your day. This has completely changed my life, and once I cleared that space, I am now experiencing the reward of love, care, kindness, and happiness. Thank you JMK.
Journal for Three Pages or Five Minutes Morning And/Or Night
If you choose to journal in the morning, write about your dreams, dump all your worries or concerns on the page, ( it feels so amazing to get this out) it’s like writing a long text or letter to someone who has hurt you but never sending it. It’s also a great way to write down your goals and inspirations for the day, get a feeling for what you want to see happen, and an action plan.
This life is filled with the opportunity to grow daily, if you choose to be aware, be reflective and be curious, if you do this, I am confident your life will be filled with joy always. Cheers!