5 Powerful Exercises to
Increase Your Mental Strength
Building mental
strength is about regulating your emotions, managing your thoughts, and
behaving in a positive manner, despite your circumstances. Mental strength
involves more than just willpower; it requires hard work and commitment.
Growing stronger requires you to establish healthy habits, while also giving up
the unhealthy habits that could hold you back from becoming better.
Although it's easier to feel mentally strong when life seems
simple -- often, true mental strength becomes most apparent in the midst of
adversity. Choosing to build mental muscle is the best way to prepare for
life's inevitable obstacles.
Many exercises exist that can help you develop mental strength.
Here are five that can get you started:
1. Evaluate Your Core Beliefs
We've all developed core beliefs about ourselves, our lives and the world in general. Core beliefs develop over time and largely depend upon our past experiences. Whether you're aware of your core beliefs or not, they influence your thoughts, behavior and emotions.
We've all developed core beliefs about ourselves, our lives and the world in general. Core beliefs develop over time and largely depend upon our past experiences. Whether you're aware of your core beliefs or not, they influence your thoughts, behavior and emotions.
Sometimes, core beliefs are inaccurate and unproductive. For
example, if you believe that you'll never succeed in life, you may be less apt
to apply for new jobs -- and inadvertently, you may not present yourself well
on job interviews. Therefore, your core beliefs may become a self-fulfilling
prophecy.
Identify and evaluate your core beliefs. Look for beliefs that
are black and white, and then find exceptions to the rule. Very few things in
life are "always" or "never" true. Modifying core beliefs
requires purposeful intention and hard work, but it can change the entire
course of your life.
2. Expend Your Mental Energy Wisely
Wasting brain power ruminating about things you can't control drains mental energy quickly. The more you think about problems you can't solve, the less energy you'll have leftover for more productive endeavors. Sitting and worrying about a major storm that's headed your way, won't prevent it from happening. You can, however, choose to use your time and energy preparing for the storm.
Save your mental energy for productive tasks, such as solving problems and setting goals. When your thoughts aren't productive, make a conscious effort to shift your mental energy to more helpful topics. The more you practice expending your mental energy wisely, the more it will become a habit.
Wasting brain power ruminating about things you can't control drains mental energy quickly. The more you think about problems you can't solve, the less energy you'll have leftover for more productive endeavors. Sitting and worrying about a major storm that's headed your way, won't prevent it from happening. You can, however, choose to use your time and energy preparing for the storm.
Save your mental energy for productive tasks, such as solving problems and setting goals. When your thoughts aren't productive, make a conscious effort to shift your mental energy to more helpful topics. The more you practice expending your mental energy wisely, the more it will become a habit.
3. Replace Exaggeratedly Negative Thoughts With Realistic
Thoughts
Although most of us don't spend time thinking about our thoughts, increasing your awareness of your thinking habits proves useful in building resilience. Exaggeratedly negative thoughts, such as, "I can't ever do anything right," hold you back from reaching your full potential. Catch your negative thoughts before they spiral out of control and adversely influence your behavior.
Although most of us don't spend time thinking about our thoughts, increasing your awareness of your thinking habits proves useful in building resilience. Exaggeratedly negative thoughts, such as, "I can't ever do anything right," hold you back from reaching your full potential. Catch your negative thoughts before they spiral out of control and adversely influence your behavior.
Identify and replace overly negative thoughts with thoughts that
are more productive. Productive thoughts don't need to be excessively positive,
but should be realistic. A more balanced thought may be, "I have some
weaknesses, but I also have plenty of strengths." Changing your thoughts
requires constant monitoring, but the process can be instrumental in helping
you become your best self.
4. Practice Tolerating Discomfort
Being mentally strong doesn't mean you don't experience emotions. In fact, mental strength requires you to become acutely aware of your emotions so you can make the best choice about how to respond.
Being mentally strong doesn't mean you don't experience emotions. In fact, mental strength requires you to become acutely aware of your emotions so you can make the best choice about how to respond.
Sometimes it makes sense to behave contrary to your emotions.
For example, if you experience anxiety that prevents you from trying new things
or accepting new opportunities, try stepping out of your comfort zone to
continue to challenge yourself. Tolerating uncomfortable emotions takes
practice, but it becomes easier as your confidence grows.
Practice behaving like the person you'd like to become. Instead
of saying, "I wish I could be more outgoing," choose to behave in a
more outgoing manner, whether you feel like it or not. Some discomfort is often
necessary for greater gain, and tolerating that discomfort will turn your
vision into a reality, one small step at a time.
5. Reflect on Your Progress Daily
Today's busy world doesn't lend itself to making much time available for quiet reflection. Create time to reflect upon your progress toward developing mental strength. At the end of each day, ask yourself what you've learned about your thoughts, emotions and behavior. Consider what you hope to improve upon or accomplish tomorrow.
Today's busy world doesn't lend itself to making much time available for quiet reflection. Create time to reflect upon your progress toward developing mental strength. At the end of each day, ask yourself what you've learned about your thoughts, emotions and behavior. Consider what you hope to improve upon or accomplish tomorrow.
Developing mental strength is an ongoing process and there is
always room for improvement. Reflecting upon your progress can reinforce your
ability to reach your definition of success while living according to your
values.
Amy
Morin http://www.huffingtonpost.com/amy-morin/5-powerful-exercises-to-i_b_6587396.html?ncid=newsltushpmg00000003&ir=Inelf. Tolerating uncomfortable emotions takes
practice, but it becomes easier as your confidence grows.
Practice behaving like the person you'd like to become. Instead
of saying, "I wish I could be more outgoing," choose to behave in a
more outgoing manner, whether you feel like it or not. Some discomfort is often
necessary for greater gain, and tolerating that discomfort will turn your
vision into a reality, one small step at a time.
5. Reflect on Your Progress Daily
Today's busy world doesn't lend itself to making much time available for quiet reflection. Create time to reflect upon your progress toward developing mental strength. At the end of each day, ask yourself what you've learned about your thoughts, emotions and behavior. Consider what you hope to improve upon or accomplish tomorrow.
Today's busy world doesn't lend itself to making much time available for quiet reflection. Create time to reflect upon your progress toward developing mental strength. At the end of each day, ask yourself what you've learned about your thoughts, emotions and behavior. Consider what you hope to improve upon or accomplish tomorrow.
Developing mental strength is an ongoing process and there is
always room for improvement. Reflecting upon your progress can reinforce your
ability to reach your definition of success while living according to your
values.
Amy
Morin http://www.huffingtonpost.com/amy-morin/5-powerful-exercises-to-i_b_6587396.html?ncid=newsltushpmg00000003&ir=In
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