Mentally strong and resilient people overcome adversities and learn from them. Research finds that mentally resilient people have personality traits that help them cope with adversity. They tend toward emotional maturity and make an effort to process negative events from their past.
They possess the ability to self-correct.
They adjust their responses in any given situation to produce positive consequences. Because they learn from their mistakes, they produce more positive consequences in their lives than negative ones. They are reliable and consistent in their responses and limitations.
The person who responds with feelings and then goes forward to resolve the issue is an emotionally strong person. Emotionally strong people are able to: Be less discouraged by setbacks. Be more adaptable to change.
Mentally strong people don't sit around feeling sorry about their circumstances or how others have treated them. Instead, they take responsibility for their role in life and understand that life isn't always easy or fair. They don't allow others to control them, and they don't give someone else power over them.
Mentally tough people view obstacles as a challenge, not as a paralyzing event. They look at their failures and mistakes as lessons to be learned from and opportunities for growth. In other words, they embrace obstacles better than others because they lean in.
What is mental strength? Mental strength is the cognitive and emotional skill of reframing negative thoughts and adverse circumstances. Being mentally strong, or mentally tough, helps us resist both internal and external influences that weaken our self-confidence and well-being.
Just like your muscles, your mind needs to be exercised to gain strength. Growth and development take consistent work, and if you have not pushed yourself recently, you might not be growing as much as you can. Mental strength is built through lots of small wins, maintained through the choices we make every day.
Many dictionaries define mental health as being “the absence of mental illness.” But not having depression, anxiety, or another illness doesn't mean you're mentally strong. In fact, you might still be mentally strong even if you're dealing with a mental health issue.
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. Mental strength is about accepting your feelings without being controlled by them.
These traits include being self confident, productive, optimistic, a go-getter, a fear-tackler, caring, unafraid to stand up for what one believes in, proud, unbothered by what others say or think, and true to one's self.
1. They're emotionally intelligent. Emotional intelligence is the cornerstone of mental strength. You cannot be mentally strong without the ability to fully understand and tolerate strong negative emotions and do something productive with them.
Emotional intelligence is part of mental strength. But mental strength goes beyond emotions and addresses the thoughts and behaviors that affect the overall quality of your life. Mental strength involves developing daily habits that build mental muscle.
Mental toughness comes down to your habits. It's about doing the things you know you're supposed to do on a more consistent basis. It's about your dedication to daily practice and your ability to stick to a schedule.
Mentally strong people reflect on their progress toward their goals every day. They set aside time to examine what they're doing well, and they humbly acknowledge areas that need improvement. They hold themselves accountable for mistakes and they constantly strive to grow better.
a personality trait characterized by empiricism, materialism, skepticism, and fatalism. Compare tender-mindedness. [first described by William James ] —tough-minded adj.
There are seven key traits that define the champion's mentality. These traits are resilience, focus, strength, preparation, vision, openness and trust. The good news is that you do not have to be born with mental toughness. You can learn to be mentally tough through your running workouts every day.
Mental strength is similar to physical strength — some people are born with a genetic advantage while others have illnesses or issues that can be a disadvantage. You can't help it if you are genetically more susceptible to ADHD, anxiety, or depression.
Listening To Others—With Understanding and Empathy
Some psychologists believe that the ability to listen to another person, to empathize with, and to understand their point of view is one of the highest forms of intelligent behavior.
Men tend to score higher than women in areas of assertiveness, stress tolerance and self-regard (or confidence). Recent research exploring emotional intelligence suggests these differences may play a role in the leadership gender gap.
A strong woman stands up for herself.
“She is not afraid to share her ideas and thoughts, regardless of what others think.” “She speaks her heart and her mind.” “She respects herself enough to stand up for herself, the causes she believes in, and the welfare of others.”