alance when they are within the comfort zone because they do not have to deal with any disturbance or challenges. However, developing mental strength is similar to trying to learn how to ride a bike. Riding a bicycle requires not only regular practice but also falling off and failing often. Falling off a bike is something out of our comfort zone. Similarly, your mind will not get stronger if you don’t push it outside of your comfort zone. So, how can you associate with becoming mentally stronger, and trying to experience things outside of your comfort zone?Developing mental strength is similar to trying to learn how to ride a bike Click To Tweet
Firstly, have the “can do” attitude that you would not back out from trying out new things.
Secondly, sign up for new activities that you like but do not have the time or confidence to do. Activities like taking up photography, going fishing, or even something as simple as singing! Doing these things and finding what you have a passion for would help your mind become more active, outgoing, and open yourself up to a new world.
Thirdly, acknowledge the activities that you fear and feel you would fail at them. The fears could come from negative experiences of the past, or they could come from your “can’t do” attitude that you developed and are afraid of making a mess or failing to do something. Therefore, rather than avoiding the action, it is best to face your fears by actively engaging in these activities and try to get someone to do it with you – having a companion is always better for your mental health.
3. Keep A Journal To Appreciate Yourself
Ever feel like you are mistreating yourself and negatively downplaying your importance in life? Many people don’t give themselves the attention and credit they deserve. Sometimes, it’s because of the fear of being arrogant. The negativity would not help with strengthening your mental health; instead, it leads to depression and weak willpower. The best way to avoid it is to include the habit of writing in a journal, what you have done for yourself and the people around you. The things you write should be in bullet points of the positive and constructive things you’ve done. Stuff like contributing constructive criticism to a project at work, helping a friend, or even thanking your mom for her delicious cooking. This would change the way the world is presented to you. Always be grateful – instead of seeing the negativity; you would see all the positives in life.Always be grateful – instead of seeing the negativity; you would see all the positives in life Click To Tweet
If you think that starting a habit of keeping an appreciation journal is too complicated, start by posting sticky notes on your fridge, bedpost, desks, and lamps instead. To write down little achievements during the days on these sticky notes is much easier than keeping a proper journal and writing down entries every day. After two or three months of only sticky notes, move on to write down three to four pages of your journal a week, then keep going at it until you can note as many positive things as possible every day.
4. Take Care Of Your Physical Health
Physical and mental health, unsurprisingly, are not isolated from each other. Within a healthy body, you are more likely to have a healthy mind. This is because during exercise, our stress levels are lifted and replaced with positive stress, thus, taking care of our body with regular exercise, meditation, and healthy food, contributes to the strength of the mind as well. Moreover, by having a fitter and healthier body, your mind is less concerned with the dangerous negativity that comes from low self-esteem or low opinion of our body image.
5. Avoid Negative Inner Dialogue
After a failure, most of us take it hard on ourselves. We tell ourselves things like “That was the worst mistake I have ever made” or “Why did I have to be angry like that?”. However, scolding yourself is not the best way to solve a problem. Indeed, harshness often worsens the mental state you are in, making you feel depressed and sadder than you probably 