Mental strength is a quality that enables individuals to handle stress, overcome challenges, and achieve success. Mentally strong people can cope with difficult situations, recover quickly from setbacks, and maintain a positive outlook.
Do you want more strength to weather life’s toughest challenges?
Adopt these habits and tap into a wellspring of resilience, perseverance, and inner steel.
Check out 17 traits that successful people have shown to be effective, no matter what obstacles they encounter!
17 Things Mentally Strong People Do
Mentally strong people possess several positive traits that help them navigate life’s challenges. Here are 17 essential habits that mentally strong people practice:
#1 They Developed A Growth Mindset
Mentally strong people have a growth mindset. They believe their abilities can be developed and improved through hard work and dedication. They view challenges and setbacks as opportunities to learn and grow rather than failures. This mindset helps them stay motivated and focused on their goals, even in adversity.
To develop a growth mindset, you
- Embrace every challenge that comes your way as an opportunity to grow and expand
- Learn from criticism and feedback
- Stay open to new ideas and perspectives.
#2 They Practice Self-Compassion
Mentally strong people are kind and compassionate to themselves. They understand that everyone makes mistakes and experiences setbacks and treat themselves with the same kindness and understanding they would offer a friend. This self-compassion helps them stay resilient and bounce back from difficult situations.
To practice self-compassion, you
- Practice self-care and prioritize your well-being
- Speak kindly and positively to yourself
- Forgive yourself for your mistakes and failures.
#3 They Embrace Change
Mentally strong people are adaptable and flexible. They understand that change is a natural part of life and embrace it rather than resist it. They are open to new experiences and challenges and use change as an opportunity to learn and grow.
To embrace change, you
- Stay curious and open-minded
- Embrace transition as a chance to grow and learn from new experiences
- Focus on the positive aspects of change and let go of resistance.
#4 They Build Resilience
One key habit of mentally strong people is building resilience. They understand that life is full of ups and downs, and they prepare themselves for the inevitable setbacks that will come their way.
To build resilience, you
- Manage stress effectively
- Develop a plan for dealing with adversity
- Instead of obsessing over what could happen, live in the moment and enjoy where you are now.
#5 They Manage Emotions
Another important habit of mentally strong people is managing their emotions. They understand that emotions can be powerful, but they don’t waste energy on negative emotions like anger and resentment. Instead, they focus on positive emotions such as joy, gratitude, and hope.
To manage your emotions, you
- Master the ability to express feelings constructively and healthily
- Practice mindfulness and meditation
- Seek support from others when needed.
#6 They Stay Grounded
Mentally strong people also know the importance of staying grounded. They don’t get caught up in their success or failures and don’t let external factors define their self-worth.
To learn to stay grounded, you
- Focus on your values and strengths
- Develop a sense of purpose
- Reflect regularly on your goals and progress.
#7 They Set Boundaries
Mentally strong people recognize the importance of setting boundaries in their personal and professional lives. They know that limiting their time, energy, and resources is essential for their well-being and success. They are not afraid to say “no” to requests that do not align with their goals or values and do not allow others to take advantage of them.
They also know that setting boundaries is not a one-time event but an ongoing process. They regularly reassess their boundaries and adjust them as needed to ensure they align with their current priorities and needs.
To set boundaries, you
- Identify your needs and priorities
- Communicate your boundaries
- Recognize when it is time to adjust or renegotiate boundaries.
#8 They Take Responsibility
Mentally strong people take full responsibility for their actions, emotions, and thoughts. They do not feel entitled or think the world owes them anything; you won’t hear a mentally strong person complaining about the “unfairness” of life. Instead, they take ownership of their choices and accept responsibility for their happiness.
They don’t waste time blaming others or external forces for their problems; they know they are the only ones who can create lasting change. Instead, they take ownership of their mistakes and failures and use them as opportunities for growth and self-improvement. Their ability to own up to their actions sets them apart from others and makes them truly mentally strong.
To take responsibility, you
- Accept that your choices directly impact your life
- Own up to your mistakes with yourself and those around you for growth and understanding
- Focus on taking action rather than engaging in blame games.
#9 They Focus On The Present Moment
Mentally strong people know that dwelling on the past or worrying about the future is not productive. They focus their attention and energy on the present moment and make the most of each day.
By focusing on the present moment, mentally strong people can stay calm, centered, and productive, even in the face of challenges and adversity.
To focus on the present moment, you
- Practice mindfulness and meditation
- Engage in activities that bring you joy
- Are mindful of your thoughts and reactions.
#10 They Learn From Failure
Mentally strong people are not immune to making mistakes but are experts at learning from them. Rather than repeating the same mistakes and expecting different results, they analyze their actions, determine where they went wrong, and make changes for the future. This approach leads to personal growth and empowers them to be more successful in their endeavors.
By recognizing patterns of behavior in the past, mentally strong people can adjust their strategies and try different approaches until they ultimately achieve their goals. As a result, they are constantly evolving, adapting, and improving themselves.
To learn from your mistakes, you
- Reflect honestly on your actions
- Analyze past behavior to uncover patterns.
- Create a plan to make necessary changes.
#11 They Stay Motivated
Mentally strong people stay motivated even when faced with obstacles. They focus on their goals and keep moving forward, even when the going gets tough. They remain steadfastly committed to their mission despite any obstacles or missteps.
To stay motivated, you
- Set realistic, achievable goals-
- Instead of stressing over the outcome, focus on what is within your control – the journey.
- Reward yourself for milestones achieved
#12 They Practice Gratitude
Mentally strong people practice gratitude regularly. They think more about what they have than what they do not have. They appreciate the small things in life and recognize the value of simple pleasures.
To Practice Gratitude, you
- Take a few moments to think about all the good things you have in your life
- Every day, write down three things that you are thankful for
- Express gratitude to those who have helped you or made a difference in your life.
#13 They Take Calculated Risks
Mentally strong people don’t fear taking calculated risks. They understand that taking a leap of faith can lead to great achievements and personal growth. Fear doesn’t hold them back, as they dare to assess the situation and make informed decisions. They understand that risks are a part of life and that avoiding them can hold them back from reaching their full potential.
Instead, they embrace the unknown and step outside their comfort zones. By doing so, they open themselves up to new experiences and opportunities that can ultimately lead them down exciting and fulfilling paths.
That being said, mentally strong people don’t take reckless or foolish risks. They evaluate the pros and cons of each situation carefully before making any decisions. They understand that some risks are not worth taking and have no problem walking away if the outcome is too uncertain or unpredictable.
To Take calculated risks, you
- Analyze the risks and benefits involved in taking a certain action
- Have faith in yourself that you made an informed decision
- Prepare yourself for unexpected consequences and are willing to course-correct if necessary.
#14 They Understand Success
Mentally strong people understand that other people’s success doesn’t diminish their own. They avoid the corrosive emotion of resentment and instead practice gratitude towards others. This is because they realize there is enough success to go around, and everyone has their unique path to follow.
Comparing oneself to others can result in feelings of inadequacy or jealousy that ultimately sabotage personal growth.
To understand success, you
- Focus on your accomplishments and celebrate your wins
- Refrain from comparing yourself to others
- Realize that everyone has different paths in life so that success may manifest differently for each individual.
#15 They Prevent Self-Pity
Mentally strong people avoid falling into the trap of self-pity. They understand the dangers of indulging in negative emotions and how it can harm their mental well-being. Instead of wallowing in self-pity, they take action and focus on finding solutions. They remain optimistic even during tough times and use their setbacks as opportunities to learn and grow. By avoiding self-pity, mentally strong people maintain their resilience and become better equipped to handle any challenges that come their way.
To prevent self-pity, you
- Remind yourself of your accomplishments and strengths
- Look for ways to turn your weaknesses into strengths
- Practice self-care.
#16 They Practice Healthy Habits
Mentally strong people are not just born that way; they work hard to cultivate their strength. One way they maintain their mental toughness is by practicing healthy habits. They prioritize their physical health by eating nutritious foods, getting enough rest, and exercising.
They also carve out time for self-care and prioritize their mental health and well-being by regularly checking in with themselves and seeking support when needed. These habits may seem small, but they can significantly impact mental and physical health. By consciously practicing healthy habits, mentally strong individuals can maintain their resilience and keep pushing forward.
To practice healthy habits, you
- Prioritize your physical and mental health
- Eat nutritious foods and exercise regularly
- Make time for self-care activities like mindfulness or reading
- Seek support when needed and talk about their feelings with trusted individuals.
#17 They Are patient
Mentally strong individuals possess a remarkable quality that sets them apart from others: patience. Rather than expecting immediate results, they understand that success and growth take time, dedication, and focus.
These individuals are acutely aware that progress is not linear and are prepared to weather any ups and downs that come with pursuing their goals. Their patience and determination allow them to persist through challenges without giving up or being discouraged. In a world where instant gratification is highly valued, mentally strong people serve as a reminder that good things come to those willing to wait.
To be more patient, you
- Focus on small wins and appreciate your progress
- Understand that progress is not linear, and setbacks are part of the process
- Focus on their long-term goals and stay committed to them.
The Takeaway
Mentally strong people practice a set of habits every day to build resilience, manage emotions, and stay grounded. These habits help them navigate life’s challenges with confidence and grace.
How mentally strong people approach life inspires us all. Understanding and embracing their practices can build resilience and improve our mental toughness. With the right mindset and some useful habits, anyone can become mentally strong and achieve greater success in life.
References
Mental toughness: What is it and how to build it. Robert Weinberg
