Ten Things That Mentally Strong People Do

Being mentally strong can mean different things to different people.

For instance, we all have individual tolerance levels for stress and adversity and our responses can be just as unique.

However, having a certain amount of adaptability, resilience, and fortitude can help us navigate life’s inevitable challenges with acceptance, grace, and confidence. 

Mentally strong people cultivate a positive mindset, even when things don’t pan out as they had hoped or expected. 

They also have strong emotional regulation skills, enabling them to cope effectively with stress, setbacks, and adversity.

Moreover, these individuals stay focused on their goals and quickly bounce back from life’s challenges or difficulties with resilience, motivation, and determination. 

Broadly, being mentally strong is about having the capacity and strength to thrive in the face of difficulty, helping you to lead a whole, fulfilling and purposeful life.

This article explores ten things mentally strong people do, including helpful techniques and strategies to help you cope with life’s inevitable ups and downs.

In the meantime, if you would like to learn more about our counseling or mental health treatment programs, contact our friendly team in Florida, who will happily provide additional help and information.

Let’s begin!

Ten things that mentally strong people do  

Being mentally strong doesn’t exempt a person from feeling disappointed, sad, anxious, or worried from time to time.

After all, life isn’t always fair, and it’s inevitable that, at some point, we will all struggle with setbacks, including feelings of loss or failure.

However, cultivating a positive mindset when things don’t go as planned can help you manage these challenging emotions so they don’t hold you back from achieving your goals or reaching your potential.

Studies show that having some practical strategies in your toolbox when life throws you a curveball (or two) can be extremely helpful, allowing you to cope with whatever adversity comes your way.

Below are ten things mentally strong people do that you may find helpful, particularly during the more stressful periods in your life.

1. They embrace change

Mentally strong people welcome change with openness and resilience, viewing challenges and setbacks as opportunities to learn and grow.

They accept that not everything will go their way and can adapt well when situations or circumstances change.

Embracing change can be difficult as most of us prefer the familiar and predictable, as it can make us feel safe. 

However, a change in direction can help us grow and build resilience, which allows us to learn things about ourselves that we may not have if everything stayed the same.

Although some changes can be harder to adapt to than others. 

Therefore, how we manage change is often situation-dependent.

If you are finding it difficult to cope or need assistance in dealing with a particular life change or circumstance, talking to a trained professional can help.

Our clinical team at our recovery center in Florida specialize in treating various types of mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, burnout and stress.

Contact our friendly team today for further support and information.

2. They set boundaries 

One of the keys to emotional wellness is to set boundaries wherever necessary.

Mentally strong people establish healthy boundaries, which can involve saying no to specific requests or invitations when necessary.

Setting boundaries with the people in your life can be challenging, as most of us want to be kind and helpful to those we care about.

However, cultivating healthy boundaries is necessary to help protect your energy, time, and physical and emotional well-being.

Here are some helpful ways you can set boundaries with the people in your life without feeling guilty:

• Prioritize things that make you feel happy and fulfilled – this can often mean turning off your phone after a particular time in the evening or not answering it when it rings unless it’s an emergency.
• Say no politely without explaining.
• When asked to attend an event or fulfill a request, say, “Let me think about that, and I’ll get back to you later.”
• Send the call to voicemail.
• Wait a while before answering a text, message, email, or call. 
• Say no to things that don’t interest you, briefly explaining why you don’t want to participate/attend.

If you struggle to set limits with the people in your life, click here to read our latest article on cultivating healthy boundaries.

3. They take responsibility

Mentally strong people take responsibility over their actions and decisions.

They learn from their mistakes and avoid blaming others when things don’t work out.

However, this can be tricky as recognizing our flaws and weaknesses can take time and requires much self-awareness and compassion. 

Still, with practice, you will learn to identify your mistakes with grace, empathy, and acceptance.

After all, we are only human, and occasional slip-ups are expected now and then!

The key is to learn from your mistakes without blame-shifting.

4. They prioritize self-care

Mentally strong people understand that caring for their physical and emotional health is critical to lasting happiness and well-being.

You can’t achieve great things if you don’t feel well, so you must engage in a self-care routine that you can stick to and enjoy.

Prioritizing self-care can look like this:

• Engaging in regular exercise such as walking, running, or strength training.
• Participating in activities that encourage relaxation, including meditation, yoga or breathwork.
• Cultivating a healthy support system of friends, family, and community.
• Seeking help and support from a mental health professional who can provide various types of counseling and therapy targeted to your specific needs and preferences, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or holistic wellness programs.

5. They practice gratitude

Mentally strong people practice gratitude regularly, which helps them stay emotionally resilient, allowing them to appreciate all they have.

Practicing gratitude can help rewire your brain to react to stress in new, more helpful ways.

You can start by writing down a list of things you are grateful for and look at it every morning before you start your day and at night before you go to sleep.

Moreover, many people find that having a gratitude journal helps them stay more positive and focused, allowing them to overcome life’s obstacles with acceptance and resilience rather than fighting against them.

Cultivating gratitude and acknowledging and appreciating the positive aspects of your life enables you to foster joy and contentment, making you feel more balanced and in control.

6. They set realistic goals

Mentally strong people have clear, realistic goals to help them stay focused and motivated.

Whether your goal is to become more physically or emotionally resilient or reach a career milestone, having clear objectives can help you proactively work towards them, helping you stay focused and motivated.

You may also find the SMART goals technique helpful; click here to learn more.

7. They cultivate meaning and purpose

We all find meaning and purpose in different ways. Perhaps you enjoy sewing and have thought about starting a sewing club for years but haven’t gotten around to it.

Or say you have a great book or business idea but lack the confidence to get started or are too afraid to leap into the unknown.

Mentally strong people cultivate meaning and purpose by proactively pursuing their goals, objectives or desires without getting too hung up on the outcome.

So, you must try and do the same!

Remember, our emotions are a compass for what we truly want, so what’s the harm in giving your idea a shot? 

8. They practice self-regulation 

Mentally strong individuals practice self-regulation, which can help them manage their emotions better.

This can be tricky, especially during intense moments. 

However, learning to self-regulate can be the master key to becoming mentally stronger, happier, and healthier.

Being able to regulate yourself doesn’t mean that you aren’t sad, angry, or frustrated sometimes; it just means that you don’t allow these emotions to dominate your life.

The great thing about being human is you get to choose how you react to your emotions and other people’s behaviors and choices.

Self-regulation is not about changing anything or anyone else.

It’s about managing your responses to things that don’t always feel pleasant by reframing these experiences to a more positive outlook.

Of course, this can be extremely challenging, depending on the circumstances. However, the key here is to start small.

For instance, if someone cuts in front of you on the motorway, instead of getting angry or frustrated, take a few deep breaths and remind yourself that another person’s actions or behaviors don’t have anything to do with you.

By cultivating more positive responses to life’s minor irritations, you will be better equipped to deal with setbacks and stress on a much larger scale.

9. They cultivate good sleep hygiene

Various studies have shown the many health benefits of good sleep hygiene.

Sleep is crucial to physical, mental and social well-being and can help with problem-solving and decision-making.

A good night’s sleep helps to restore the body and improves your energy levels, so when you wake up in the morning, you feel refreshed and ready to start the day.

Researchers recommend that you aim for at least seven to nine hours of sleep every night to cultivate good health and mental toughness.

10. They seek professional help and support when needed

Mentally strong people are not afraid to seek help and support from others when needed.

Support can come in many forms, from seeking social support from family, friends and your community to reaching out to a mental health professional for therapeutic intervention.

Depending on your unique challenges and needs, speaking to supportive family or friends who demonstrate compassion and empathy may be all you need to feel like yourself again.

On the other hand, you may need more professional help and support from a trained counselor or therapist to help you manage and overcome any struggles or difficulties you may be experiencing.

Various therapies can help you manage stress and cultivate resilience, allowing you to bounce back from adversity stronger than ever before.

These treatments include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Holistic wellness treatment
• Individual therapy
• Group support
• Residential treatment

To learn more about our mental health treatment programs, contact our friendly team, who can help.

How Tikvah Lake Recovery can help

Tikvah Lake Recovery provides personalized, addiction, and luxury mental health treatment to clients in Florida and surrounding areas.

No matter the treatment plan, the goal should always focus on your comfort, goals, aspirations, and unique path to recovery.

An effective mental health treatment program should prioritize addressing each person’s unique goals and exhibit flexibility in accommodating the diverse needs of each individual. 

A competent holistic practitioner must thoroughly assess your health profile and history, including your mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being, to help tailor a plan for lasting healing and recovery.

Offering a range of options and treatments is crucial, allowing you to discover what works best for you and restore balance across all aspects of your life. 

When facilitated with professional guidance and care, our holistic therapies offer a secure and efficient approach to achieving optimal health in every dimension, supporting your wellness and recovery journey throughout treatment and beyond.

Contact our friendly team today to learn more about our mental health treatment programs and kick-start your journey toward lasting resilience and transformation.

We are here and ready to help!

Additional resources

1. How to Be Mentally Strong: 14 Ways to Build Mental Toughness, Positive Psychology, Michelle Ribeiro, April 9, 2019
2. 10 Strategies to Make Yourself Mentally Stronger, Psychology Today, Amy Morin, January 8, 2017