How to make you mentally strong.

If there's one thing life keeps teaching us, it's that it rarely plays by the rules we know. The world doesn't just spin; it sometimes flips and tumbles. And it's during these flips and tumbles that we find out just how tough our mental fabric is. It's like weaving a safety net out of sheer will and grit, thread by thread.

Take it from someone who's felt the rug pulled from under their feet. Years back, as I dove headfirst into a new business, I found myself neck-deep in waters I'd never swum before. Each day brought its tide of worries. But you know what? I swam. Not gracefully at first, but with a determination that turned each stroke into a lesson. I found my strength not in still waters, but in learning to ride the waves.

Now, I'm passing the lifebuoy to you. We all have it in us, this incredible resilience, like a muscle waiting for its chance to flex. It's not just for the select few; it's a universal gift, and it gets stronger every time we push past the 'cannot's and 'should not's. So, how about we set off on this adventure together? Let's strengthen that muscle. Let's build a mind that's ready for anything. Starting with one habit at a time, let's turn life's mayhem into our melody. Shall we dive in?

Establish a Mindfulness Practice

Mindfulness, in essence, is like a beacon in the fog of our daily hustle, illuminating our experience of the present moment without judgment or distraction. Its power lies in fostering a fortress of calm within, equipping us to withstand the storms of stress and uncertainty that life often sends our way.

Initiating a mindfulness practice can be as straightforward as dedicating five minutes each morning to stillness. Sit comfortably, close your eyes, and focus on the ebb and flow of your breath - the rise and fall of your chest, the coolness at the tip of your nose as you inhale, the warmth as you exhale. Whenever your thoughts drift, as they naturally will, gently guide your attention back to your breath, the anchor of your awareness.

I, too, was once adrift in the sea of my thoughts, often capsized by worry. Embracing mindfulness has been akin to finding my sea legs; the once overwhelming waves of stress now meet a steadier mind. On days when the minutes seem to sprint, and my to-do list looms large, those precious moments of stillness recalibrate my focus and dissipate tensions that once would have unraveled my resolve.

Develop a Growth Mindset

Picture your mindset as a garden. A fixed mindset is like planting a single type of flower and expecting it to thrive in any weather, without room for change. On the flip side, a growth mindset is an ever-evolving landscape, where diverse plants grow from the seeds of challenges, nurtured by the soil of perseverance and the water of constructive criticism.

Cultivating a growth mindset starts with changing your internal narrative. Recognize when you're telling yourself, "I can't do this," and revise it to, "I can't do this yet." Embrace challenges as puzzles rather than roadblocks. When criticism comes knocking, invite it in for tea instead of barring the door - there might be wisdom in its words. Keep a journal of setbacks and revisit it monthly, not as a ledger of failures, but as a roadmap of progress.

I recall a project that felt like a mountain, its peak shrouded in clouds of doubt. Adopting a growth mindset was the equivalent of finding a trailhead when I was wandering in the foothills. Each setback, a switchback on the ascent, was not a sign to turn back but a challenge to rise above. That project didn't just get done - it launched me onto paths I'd never imagined, professionally and personally.

Set Boundaries and Say No

Imagine your energy as a treasured resource - like water in a desert. Setting boundaries is the act of building canals and deciding where this life-giving water flows and where it does not. Just as a canal's gates prevent flooding, boundaries protect your mental space from being overwhelmed by external demands.

Start by identifying what is most precious to you - your time with family, your meditation hour, or perhaps your creative pursuits. Assert these as non-negotiable. Practice saying "no" without embellishing it with excuses; a simple "I have other commitments" will suffice. Role-play scenarios where you might typically overextend yourself, and rehearse a firm yet polite refusal. Remember, 'no' is a complete sentence.

There was a time when 'yes' was a reflex, an automatic door swinging open to any ask. This left me drained, my reservoirs of energy depleted with little to show for it. The journey to 'no' was strewn with guilt and discomfort, yet each time I stood my ground, I fortified my mental health. The first 'no' that truly resonated was like a dam breaking, releasing me from the flood of commitments that were never mine to shoulder.

Exercise Regularly and Nourish Your Body

Our bodies and minds are intrinsically linked, like the strings on a guitar; when one is out of tune, the other surely resonates with disharmony. The endorphins released during exercise act as nature's stress reliever, while a balanced diet serves as the foundational notes for a well-composed mental symphony.

Engaging in regular exercise need not be a Herculean task - it can be as simple as a brisk daily walk, akin to sending your brain on a joyride. Nutrition is not about strict diets but about harmony and moderation, like blending the right ingredients to create a culinary masterpiece that your body and mind will thank you for.

Challenge yourself to find an activity that feels less like work and more like play. It could be dancing to your favorite tunes, hiking through the whispers of the woods, or cycling to the rhythm of the city's heartbeat. Parallel to this, embark on a culinary adventure; savor the burst of berries, the zest of citrus, and the richness of greens. Let the act of eating be a gesture of respect to your body, and the choice of activity a celebration of movement.

Foster Positive Relationships

Think of each relationship as a thread in the vast tapestry of your life. The strongest, most vibrant threads are those that contribute positivity and strength to the overall picture, reinforcing the fabric of your well-being. It's these connections that can pull us out of the shadows and into the light, especially when we stumble.

To weave these threads into your life, start by reaching out. A message, a call, a coffee outing - small gestures plant the seeds for a flourishing garden of connections. Be intentional about whom you spend your time with; seek those who reflect the values you aspire to and who treat your time and company as a gift, just as you should theirs.

I've learned that relationships are not just mirrors reflecting our current selves; they are also windows to the possibilities of who we can become. There was a period when isolation seemed like a comfortable blanket, but it was the hands of friendship that unwrapped me from that cocoon, reminding me that growth often happens in the company of others who challenge, support, and celebrate with us.