Just as we develop our physical muscles to gain strength and maintain our health, we also need to pay attention to strengthening our mental muscles. Learning to develop mental strength can help in many ways from overcoming challenging situations.
Practice Gratitude – This is a key trait among many mentally strong people. Being thankful or practicing gratitude can be a powerful tool with scientifically proven benefits. Rather than focus on the negative and let a problem boil over, people who practice gratitude improve empathy and can keep toxic responses in check.
Be Generous – You may read that and think, “I barely have enough money myself. How can I practice generosity?” We’re not just talking about money. Although you could certainly be generous with your finances if you are able to. Another way to practice generosity is to spend time with people who could use a little extra kindness in their lives. For example, you could donate some time to a retirement center, volunteer to be a big brother / big sister or help out at an animal shelter. You could also lend your talents (marketing, art, sewing, etc.) to your favorite charity. There are a lot of ways to practice generosity that don’t involve money at all.
Get Your Sleep – While everyone is different, most experts agree that people should try to consistently get 7-8 hours of sleep per night. Not maintaining regular, good sleep can cause a variety of issues. If you have had multiple nights of tossing and turning then you may start to experience things like brain fog, depression and anxiety in the following few days. So it’s recommended that you create a nighttime routine that helps to set you up for success. There are proven techniques that can contribute to a good night’s sleep. Sleeping in a blacked out room that is slightly cool, turning off your phone and leaving it in another room and doing a short meditation prior to falling asleep have all been scientifically proven to help your slumber.
Exercise Regularly – Not only is regular exercise good for our physical health, but it also does wonders for our mental health. When you exercise, your body releases endorphins which trigger all sorts of benefits. Exercise ties your brain and body together and can improve your mood and energy levels over the long term. And this benefit isn’t limited to one specific exercise. Everything from running, walking, weight lifting, resistance training, yoga and even dancing can boost your brain power. So find what resonates with you personally.
Never Stop Learning – Exercising those mental muscles can provide an important long-term benefit. Many research studies show that learning a new skill may slow down cognitive decline as you age. Don’t be afraid to challenge yourself by learning a new language, picking up a musical instrument or taking up a new hobby like photography or painting. If none of those options sounds appealing, try puzzles or crosswords, which have also been found to help with improving memory and cognitive functioning.
Prioritize Self Care – Self care is different for everyone, but everyone definitely needs to include it in their lives, especially during the holidays. Some examples of self care include reading, getting regular massages or acupuncture treatments, walking in nature, spending time with friends or listening to a podcast. Again, find what works for you and don’t be afraid to try something new. And don’t ignore your self care because life gets busy. It can actually make you physically ill and mentally drained.
As you can see, our mental strength is tied to many different healthy practices. By adopting positive habits, you can reduce your risk of cognitive decline and keep the added stressors of life at bay.