7 Secrets to Being Mentally Tough!
Everyday routine for a strong psyche. We cannot influence everything in life. Some things challenge us and present us with almost unsolvable problems. This burden in everyday life has long since become standard. Taking care of ourselves often falls by the wayside or at least gets far too short shrift. In this article we would like to reveal seven secrets, food for thought for how you can strengthen your psyche and maintain your mental health in the long term. Always remember: You only have one life, so use it carefully.
1. Distance yourself from things you can't influence.
Pay attention to what annoys you in the course of the day. Is it the traffic in the morning, the annoying weather, the news or other factors that are far beyond your control? Even though it's hard for us to accept this truth, we can't bring everything under our control. Some things are beyond our sphere of influence and unfortunately have to be accepted as they are. We devote far too much energy and especially emotions every day to things over which we have absolutely no control.
2. Take good care of your body.
Healthy food and sufficient exercise are not only the keys to physical well-being. They also have a direct effect on our psyche. Stress, bad moods, headaches and risk of emotional outbursts are the consequences of not enough physical activity. The solution to pretty much any problem of this nature can be found in a big glass of water, followed by a brisk walk or a session of yoga, spinning or a cardio workout. Before you open the refrigerator door, open the front door instead and take a few steps to get some oxygen and sun rays. A long run is always a patent remedy for a bad mood, even if you just wind up exhausting yourself so much you’ll have no energy to be annoyed.
3. Enjoy the agony of choice.
We sometimes get so caught up in our hamster wheel that we completely lose sight of one of life's great assets: freedom of choice. While hardly anyone can do what they want, they don't have to do what they don't want either. We should remind ourselves of these thoughts much more often when we once again have deadlines or to-do's coming up that cause us stomach aches and nausea. We will not get around some obligations so easily. Saying no is a difficult exercise, but with a little training, it too can succeed for us. If you have doubts about whether you can really get out of the responsibility so easily, think of the worst-case scenario. What would be the worst possible consequences if you simply shirked something? Whether it's a coffee date with your mother-in-law, a parent-teacher conference at school, a dentist appointment or an evening out with the bowling club, try to enjoy the freedom of choice more often. You may only have this one life. Don't waste it on energy vampires, mood killers or terminal boredom.
4. Learn the art of losing.
We all study the art of losing on a daily basis, however we have a hard time actually internalizing it. Even as children, we couldn't bear to lose outl. If you care about your mental health, face the inevitable fact sooner rather than later that you can't always win. The odds are 50-50 at best, and only under favorable circumstances. Some of the things we long for will be denied us, perhaps forever. Conclude that it was not meant for you, either because it would not have been good for you or because there is a much better alternative waiting for you somewhere. From the right perspective, we always win. If need be, we've learned a lesson and lost only one battle, but certainly not the whole war.
5. Dispose of negative emotions before they become a burden.
This point is difficult and easier said than done. If we can't get angry, weird, or outright destructive thought processes out of our heads, over time it will take a toll on our minds and even our health. As soon as possible, find a thought brake that works for you reliably and quickly. One mental trick you can use anytime and anywhere is the imaginary stop sign. Close your eyes, say "stop" in your mind, and recall the famous red sign with the clear message. It may take you two or three tries before you get it right, but this simple exercise will do its job and put a stop to gloomy mental images. Another option is the famous rubber band. It is used in various therapy methods to stop compulsive behavior or the desire to give in to an addiction. However, the painful snapping back of the rubber band on the wrist is also an extremely effective emergency brake for annoying and persistent concerns and disturbing thoughts. By the way, sports, meditation and listening to music can be just as helpful in the fight against mental demons as creative hobbies or quite banal activities such as ironing or vacuuming.
6. The hardest thing comes first.
Procrastination is like a second religion for some people. They pay homage to the silent god of "putting things on the back burner" every day of the week with demonstrative devotion and lived passivity. If you want to do one good thing for yourself, stop procrastinating. Dedicate yourself to the difficult, unglamorous things on your agenda first, and you'll have peace of mind about them for the rest of the day, or maybe even longer. The two-minute rule is also helpful for more efficiency, productivity and subsequently mental balance. It says: Any activity that takes less than two minutes should be done immediately. This way, a sense of achievement will accumulate and you’ll avoid piling up unfinished tasks that start to weigh on your nerves.
7. Be grateful every day.
Surrounded by a multitude of people, things, decisions and ideas, it can happen that we lose track of everything and ourselves along with it. What many successful and therefore mentally strong people emphasize again and again is the importance of gratitude in their lives. Every day, they write down at least three things for which they are sincerely grateful. These can include health and safety, as well as a relaxing night's sleep or the anticipation of the next full moon. Whatever drives you, make it your motto and remind yourself daily of all the good things that have already been bestowed upon you by your destiny.
Today’s Conclusion:
Daily training makes every feat of strength succeed. Like any change, the secret to success in strengthening our mental health lies in regular application. Every new habit takes time to become a fixed part of everyday life. However, the more we dedicate ourselves to the topic of resilience, the better off we will be in terms of our mental strength. After all, it's not just ourselves who benefit from it. Our partners, family and employers also benefit more from us if we pay more attention to our well-being.