Improving your physical strength and training yourself to lift heavy weights is a fairly straightforward process, with the right instruction and determination.
Compare that to improving the strength of your mental health. Equally important but a less obvious path.
Inspired by a book from Amy Morin about things mentally strong people don’t do, I considered some top tips that will help you tackle your mental health with a different attitude and, with practice, feel stronger.
I am not saying for a second that following these tips is easy, or that even the mentally strongest people I know have mastered all of this. But to have some guidance and aim for improvement is a fantastic start!
Replacing self-pity with gratitude. If life throws you a curveball, try not to feel sorry for yourself but be grateful for what you do have. Seeing things as an advantage can actually improve your health. You sleep better, for one!
Forgive others and don’t let opinions of others take away your power. Holding onto a grudge will only limit your own ability – bring your focus back to you. It does need to be unconditional forgiveness though.
Always be ready to embrace change. What changes would you like to make and how would this make you feel once you have managed that change? Set yourself some goals and write down what obstacles you could face. Create accountability. Measure progress to help motivate you.
Try not to get distracted by things you can’t control. It’s a complete waste of energy and time. Concentrate on what you can control and where you can make a difference. It can work wonders for your wellbeing – leading to increased happiness.
Don’t let your past hold you back. What has happened in your past doesn’t need to hold you back. Learn from it and you can move forward. Take concrete steps and give yourself permission to enjoy your life, even if you haven’t in the past.
Avoid repeating the same mistakes. Study and learn from your mistakes so you don’t repeat them in the future. Ask yourself – what did I do wrong, what could I have done better, how shall I act next time? Practising self-discipline: keeping your eyes on your goals, making a list of reasons you don’t want to repeat the same mistakes, make it harder for them to happen.
Don’t envy others’ success but look to collaborate with them instead. It’s a very common human trait but try learning to harness their power instead via collaboration. Support the strengths and celebrate others. Motivate and inspire.
Don’t give up easily. Failure can be stepping-stones to something greater. See them as learning opportunities and one step closer to succeeding. Hard work is often greater than natural talent. The ‘f’ word is not shameful.
Concentrate on giving rather than taking. If you are constantly feeling that the world owes you something, why would you work hard? Focus on what you can do for others.
Achievements and progress take time. Try to set realistic goals – accept it’s not easy and break it down into smaller bite size chunks. Progress can be very small but it’s still progress. Be patient and stick to your goals.