7 habits of mentally strong people, according to psychology
It’s one of those things we all aim for, but often fall short of achieving:
Being mentally strong.
We all have those moments where we wish we had more resilience, and more grit.
Often, it might not even be anything dramatic.
Just that feeling that we could be coping with everyday stresses a bit more effectively, even when every fiber of our being is telling us otherwise.
Here’s your guide to understanding the 7 habits that mentally strong people follow and how you can start incorporating them into your life – even if it seems like an uphill task right now.
1) Embracing change
Deep down, we all know that it’s an inevitable part of our existence. Yet most of us resist it.
Why?
Simply because we constantly crave comfort and familiarity. And change threatens to disrupt that.
But here’s the thing:
Resisting change is futile, and it can also hold us back from growth.
Mentally strong people understand this. They don’t just tolerate change, they embrace it.
They see it as an opportunity for growth and development, rather than a threat to their comfort zone.
Thanks to this mindset, they can adapt to new circumstances more efficiently, and make the most of the opportunities that change brings.
2) Saying ‘no’
This one is the thing I’ve struggled with for years myself.
But from this perspective, one of the hardest lessons I’ve had to learn in my life is indeed the power of saying ‘no’.
Let me explain why.
There’s this misconception that mentally strong people say ‘yes’ to everything. That they take on all challenges and never back down.
But that’s not true.
In fact, I’ve found that the strongest people are often those who understand their limits and are not afraid to set boundaries.
In simple terms, they know when to say ‘no’, and what’s better — they do it without guilt or apology.
For a long time, I struggled with this. I wanted to be everything to everyone, and it was exhausting.
Even worse — it took a toll on my mental health and made me less efficient at everything I did.
It was only when I started saying no that things started to change.
I felt more in control of my life and my time. I became more focused on my goals and less distracted by the demands of others.
Now I know that saying ‘no’ is not a sign of weakness. It’s a sign of strength and self-awareness.
3) Accepting failure
Speaking of my experiences, having a tough time saying ‘no’ wasn’t the only thing I struggled with.
I have to admit — I was always a perfectionist. Therefore, I hated making mistakes, hated failing at anything.
If I couldn’t do something perfectly, I often wouldn’t do it at all.
Then one day, I had a realization.
I was sitting in my office, staring at a project I’d been working on for weeks.
It was far from perfect, and I was considering scrapping the whole thing and starting over.
But then it hit me: my fear of failure was holding me back. It was preventing me from taking risks, from learning, and growing.
So, I decided to change my approach.
Instead of seeing failure as something to be feared, I started seeing it as an opportunity to learn.
I finished that project, flaws and all. And you know what?
It wasn’t perfect, but it was good. And I learned more from that project than from any other project I’d ever worked on.
And that’s something that mentally strong people understand: failure is not the end of the world. It’s just another step on the road to success.
4) Practicing positive self-talk
Here’s something you might not know:
The average person has about 60,000 thoughts per day. That’s a lot of internal chatter, right?
Now, here’s another thing:
A large portion of those thoughts are negative.
This means that we’re often our own harshest critics, and our internal dialogue can be incredibly self-defeating.
But mentally strong people approach this differently.
They practice positive self-talk. They’ve understood that the way they talk to themselves matters.
- For instance, instead of saying “I can’t do this,” they say, “This is challenging, but I can handle it.”
- Instead of saying “I’m a failure,” they say, “I didn’t succeed this time, but I’ll learn from this and try again.”
This is more than just a feel-good mantra.
After all, positive self-talk can boost your mood, improve your performance, and even reduce stress. And this is a scientific fact backed by studies.
5) Setting personal goals
This one is more straightforward.
Mentally strong people are proactive about their lives. They set personal goals that give them a clear direction and purpose.
These goals might be related to their career, health, relationships, or personal growth.
Having these goals does more than just provide a roadmap.
It gives them:
- Motivation during tough times
- A sense of accomplishment when they make progress
- Clarity when they need to make important decisions.
Impressive, right?
Well, one thing I’ve learned is that goal setting isn’t about creating a rigid plan that you must adhere to at all costs.
You just need to set a direction and be flexible in how you get there.
6) Practicing gratitude
Let’s admit it:
It’s easy to get caught up in what we don’t have or what’s going wrong.
I remember times when I’d spiral down that rabbit hole, focusing on setbacks or comparing my journey to others’.
But one of the most transformative habits I’ve cultivated is the practice of gratitude.
The truth is that mentally strong people make it a habit to reflect on the positives.
Look, I know this may sound simplistic, but the act of acknowledging the good in my life, even on the worst days, does work.
It could be something as simple as writing down three things you’re thankful for each night.
Or simply pausing to appreciate a moment of kindness.
Either way, these acts of gratitude will ground you in the present and shift your perspective.
7) Seeking help when needed
There’s a misconception that mentally strong people don’t need help. That they can handle everything on their own.
But that’s far from the truth.
In reality, mentally strong people understand that asking for help is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength.
They know that they can’t do everything on their own, and they aren’t afraid to reach out when they need it.
This could be seeking advice from a mentor, reaching out to a friend during a tough time, or even seeking professional help like therapy or counseling.
Now, this is something I’ve experienced myself.
I’ve had times in my life when I’ve been too proud to ask for help. But I’ve learned that those were the times when I needed it the most.
So, what’s your takeaway?
We’re all human, and we all have our limits.
It’s okay to ask for help. It’s okay to lean on others. In fact, it’s crucial if you want to be mentally strong.
In conclusion
The process of becoming mentally strong is a continuous one.
It doesn’t happen overnight and it certainly isn’t a linear process.
But each step you take, no matter how small, brings you closer to a stronger, more resilient version of yourself.
The 7 habits we’ve covered here are not exhaustive, but they definitely provide a good starting point.
Incorporate them into your routine, tweak them as needed and don’t be afraid to add your own.
Acknowledge your victories, no matter how small. Be patient with yourself when progress seems slow.
And when times get tough, remember that being mentally strong doesn’t mean you won’t fall down. It means you’ll always get back up.