As someone who wasn’t mentally strong for most of my life, I always wondered what people did that made them deal with stress, setbacks, and challenges easier than I did. 

So, I started watching documentaries, reading books, and listening to podcasts about it. As you do, right?

Being mentally strong is important because it helps you handle whatever life throws your way. 

In everyday situations, being mentally strong means you can stay focused, solve problems, and reach your goals.

So, let’s see what things mentally strong people do every day, according to psychology.

1) They actively seek out situations that push them out of their comfort zones

Mentally strong people actively pursue situations that make them feel uneasy or challenged. 

This could be anything from striking up a conversation with a stranger to taking on a new project at work that stretches their skills. 

By embracing discomfort, they expand their comfort zones and grow as individuals.

Psychologically, embracing discomfort is linked to the concept of “optimal anxiety,” where individuals push themselves just beyond their comfort zones to encourage growth and adaptation.

Until I started doing things that were completely out there for me, I didn’t feel mentally strong. 

So, to quote Michael Jordan, “I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying.”

2) They find joy in helping others without expecting anything in return

They also make it a point to do something nice for someone else each day, whether it’s holding the door open for a stranger, paying for someone’s coffee, or simply offering a word of encouragement. 

These small acts of kindness not only make someone else’s day brighter, but also bring a sense of fulfillment and connection to the giver.

And research backs this up as it shows that engaging in acts of kindness releases feel-good hormones like oxytocin and promotes overall well-being for both the giver and receiver.

Here’s where you can start:

• Compliment someone
• Help someone in need
• Send a kind message
• Donate unused items
• Plant a tree or flowers
• Be patient in traffic
• Let someone go ahead of you in line
• Give a warm hug to someone who needs it
• Offer to babysit for a friend or family member who needs a break
• Write a positive review for a local business you appreciate

3) They learn something new every day 

Mentally strong people are always hungry for knowledge. That’s why they read books on various topics, take up new hobbies, attend workshops or seminars, or simply watch educational videos online. 

Every new piece of information they acquire adds depth and richness to their understanding of the world.

From a psychological viewpoint, lifelong learning is associated with cognitive health and resilience. 

Continuously challenging the brain with new information and skills helps sustain cognitive function and can reduce the risk of its decline.

4) They find purpose and fulfillment in their daily efforts

Studies have found that having a sense of meaning and purpose in life is associated with greater resilience, lower levels of stress, and improved overall mental health.

Mentally strong people take time to reflect on what matters most to them in life. They volunteer for causes they believe in, pursue careers that match their values, or simply spend quality time with loved ones. 

By living genuinely and in alignment with their values, they find a sense of fulfillment and purpose.

And that was the turning point for me. I was feeling miserable until I said: okay, let’s get to the bottom of this. What will make me happy and content in life? 

It turns out it was working for myself and not for others. Which brings me to this:

5) They harness the power of their minds to achieve their goals

Have you ever heard about visualization? I’m sure you have. It was all the craze 10 or more years ago. 

Visualization may sound like “mumbo jumbo” to some, but it’s actually a well-established technique backed by psychological research and used in different fields such as sports psychology, performance coaching, and therapy.

Turns out that imagining oneself succeeding can help increase self-efficacy and performance.

And so, mentally strong folks take a few moments each day to visualize themselves achieving their goals. 

Whether it’s acing a presentation, running a marathon, or simply feeling confident in social situations, they picture themselves succeeding in vivid detail. 

This mental rehearsal primes their minds for success and helps them stay focused and motivated.

6) They embrace new experiences and challenges that ignite their passion for life

They also actively seek out new experiences and challenges that push their boundaries and ignite their sense of adventure. 

This could be as simple as traveling to new places, trying exotic foods, learning a new sport or hobby, or as dangerous as skydiving and bungee jumping. 

Seeking adventure keeps life exciting and helps them discover new aspects of themselves.

Psychologically and biologically, embracing new experiences and challenges encourages neuroplasticity, which is the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections. 

Engaging in unexplored activities stimulates the brain, improves cognitive function, and supports lifelong learning.

7) They speak up for what they believe in without being pushovers

Assertiveness, power, passion. Think of them as finding your voice and speaking up for what you believe in. 

Strong-willed people express their thoughts, feelings, and needs with confidence and respect. 

They stand up for themselves while also listening to others, finding a balance between being firm and being flexible.

Psychologically, assertive behavior promotes self-confidence, healthy relationships, and effective conflict resolution.

Without it, you risk becoming a pushover or, even worse, a doormat. 

8) They don’t take themselves too seriously and find humor in everyday situations

Humor has been shown to have numerous psychological benefits, including stress reduction, better mood, and social connection. 

Finding humor in everyday situations should also serve as a coping mechanism when things don’t go as intended. 

Now, I want you to imagine mentally strong people as kids at heart, finding joy and laughter in the simplest of things. 

Whether it’s goofing around with friends, playing with a pet, or getting lost in a creative project, they know the importance of embracing their inner child. 

They know how to add a splash of fun and spontaneity to everyday life, keeping the spirit light and playful.

9) They take care of their physical health

Taking care of your physical health is crucial for maintaining mental strength. I think we all know that. But why doesn’t everybody do that then?

Frankly, that’s a whole different topic. What you need to know in our context is that mentally strong people make conscious choices about what they eat, opting for whole, nutrient-dense foods.

They also prioritize regular exercise as part of their daily routine, whether it’s going for a brisk walk, hitting the gym, practicing yoga, or playing sports they enjoy.

Exercise releases endorphins, neurotransmitters that boost mood and reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. 

It also promotes better sleep, enhances cognitive function, and improves self-esteem and body image.

Final thoughts

Imagine starting your day by acknowledging the good things in your life, like the sun shining through your window or a warm cup of coffee. 

This simple act of gratitude sets a positive tone for the day ahead.

Mentally strong people look at life through this kind of lens. For them, life isn’t a half-empty cup. It’s half full. 

But most of them didn’t just wake up one day like that or were born with this mindset. They had to work on themselves long and hard. 

Progress takes time, so be patient with yourself as you incorporate these practices into your daily life.