If you adopt these 10 daily habits, you’ll be mentally tougher in no time

We all have good days and bad days, don’t we?

But imagine if we could control how we feel and how we react to things.

Well, guess what? We can!

By simply making a few changes to our daily routine, we can become mentally stronger in no time.

In this article, we’re going to talk about 10 easy habits that can help you become tougher and more resilient.

Don’t worry – these aren’t crazy hard things. They’re simple, everyday tasks that you can easily add to your day.

1. Start Your Day With a Positive Affirmation

Think about how you start your day.

Do you roll out of bed, grumbling and dreading the day ahead? If so, it’s time to change that.

Begin your day with a positive affirmation instead.

An affirmation is a positive statement that you say to yourself, like “I am strong,” or “I can handle whatever comes my way today.”

It might feel a bit strange at first, but trust us, it works.

These affirmations can help you start your day with a positive mindset and give you the mental boost you need to tackle the day’s challenges.

So tomorrow morning, before you do anything else, take a moment to tell yourself something positive.

Repeat it a few times, really let it sink in. You’ll be surprised at how much it can affect your mood and attitude for the rest of the day. Give it a shot – what do you have to lose?

2. Exercise Regularly

We all know that regular exercise is good for our body, but did you know it’s also great for our mind? It’s true!

When we exercise, our body releases chemicals called endorphins.

These are also known as “feel-good” hormones because they help to improve our mood and reduce feelings of stress and anxiety.

You don’t have to run a marathon or lift heavy weights to feel the benefits.

Even a simple walk around the block, a quick yoga session, or a dance party in your living room can do the trick.

The key is to make it a regular part of your routine.

3. Practice Mindfulness

I can’t stress enough how much practicing mindfulness has helped me personally in developing mental toughness.

Mindfulness is all about staying present and focused on the here and now, instead of worrying about the past or future.

For instance, let me share an experience. I used to get really stressed out about work.

Deadlines, meetings, projects – they would all swirl around in my head, even when I was at home trying to relax. It was exhausting!

Then I started practicing mindfulness. I began by just taking a few minutes each day to focus on my breathing. J

ust breathe in, breathe out, and let go of everything else. It was amazing how much clearer my mind felt after just a few minutes!

Over time, I’ve been able to apply this practice to other parts of my life too.

Now, when I start to feel stressed or overwhelmed, I take a moment to just be present. It helps me stay calm and focused, no matter what’s going on around me.

4. Show Gratitude

In the rush and bustle of our everyday lives, it’s easy to focus on what’s going wrong or what we don’t have.

But take a moment, pause, and think about all the things you have to be grateful for.

It could be as simple as a warm cup of coffee in the morning, the sound of your loved one’s laughter, or even the comfort of your favorite pair of socks.

Showing gratitude not only shifts our focus to positivity but also helps us build mental toughness.

It reminds us of our strengths and the good things in our life, which can help us tackle difficulties with a more positive mindset.

Start a gratitude journal or simply take a few minutes each day to reflect on what you’re thankful for.

This small habit can have a big impact on your mental resilience and overall happiness.

Remember, it’s not happiness that brings us gratitude, but gratitude that brings us happiness. 

5. Take Breaks

I learned this lesson the hard way. There was a time when I thought that working non-stop was the key to success.

But all it did was leave me feeling burnt out and exhausted.

Then I discovered the power of taking breaks. It might seem counterproductive, especially when you have a lot on your plate, but trust me, it works.

Now, no matter how busy I am, I make sure to take short breaks throughout the day. Sometimes, I simply step away from my desk and stretch.

Other times, I might go for a quick walk outside or even just close my eyes and breathe deeply for a few minutes.

These breaks help refresh my mind and recharge my energy levels.

Plus, they give me a chance to step back and look at things from a different perspective, which often leads to better ideas and solutions.

So, if you’re like old-me and tend to work non-stop, try taking regular breaks. It can make a huge difference in your productivity levels and your mental toughness.

6. Be Kind to Yourself

We’re often our own worst critics, aren’t we?

We beat ourselves up over mistakes, we dwell on our shortcomings, and we push ourselves too hard.

But this kind of self-criticism isn’t doing us any favors. In fact, it’s probably holding us back.

Being mentally tough doesn’t mean being hard on yourself. Quite the opposite!

It’s about treating yourself with kindness and compassion, especially when things go wrong or when you’re facing challenges.

So next time you mess up or feel like you’re not good enough, instead of berating yourself, try offering yourself some words of encouragement.

Say to yourself what you would say to a friend in the same situation. You’ll be surprised how much of a difference this simple shift in attitude can make.

7. Surround Yourself with Positive People

The emotions and behaviors of the people around us can significantly influence our own emotions and behaviors.

This means that if you’re surrounded by positive, uplifting people, you’re more likely to adopt a similar positive mindset.

These individuals can inspire you, challenge you, and provide the support you need during tough times.

On the other hand, if you’re constantly around negative people, their pessimism can bring you down and hinder your mental toughness.

So make a conscious effort to surround yourself with positive people – those who encourage your growth, celebrate your achievements, and uplift your spirits.

Their positivity will rub off on you, making you mentally tougher and more resilient to life’s challenges. 

8. Set Realistic Goals

I’ve always been a big dreamer, which is great, but it can also be a double-edged sword.

In the past, I used to set massive goals for myself without thinking about whether they were achievable or not.

And when I couldn’t reach them, I’d beat myself up and feel like a failure.

But over time, I realised that setting unrealistic goals was setting myself up for disappointment. So I started to set smaller, more achievable goals instead.

Now, instead of aiming to write a whole book in a month, I aim to write a chapter a week. Instead of trying to lose 20 pounds in a month, I aim for a healthy 1-2 pounds per week.

This approach has made a huge difference. Not only am I achieving my goals more often, but it’s also made me mentally stronger because I’m not constantly dealing with disappointment.

So remember, it’s great to dream big, but when it comes to setting goals, make sure they’re realistic and achievable. Trust me, it’s much better for your mental toughness in the long run.

9. Learn to Say No

We can’t do everything for everyone all the time. We can’t be all things to all people. It’s just not possible.

And trying to do so will only leave us feeling drained, overwhelmed, and resentful.

I’ve learned that one of the most critical aspects of building mental toughness is learning to say no.

It’s not about being selfish or uncaring, but about understanding our limits and respecting our own time and energy.

So when someone asks you to do something that you don’t have the time, energy, or inclination for, muster up the courage to politely decline.

It might feel uncomfortable at first, but with practice, it gets easier.

10. Embrace Failure

Failure is a part of life. We all mess up sometimes. We all fall short of our expectations at some point or another. And that’s okay.

Building mental toughness means accepting that failure is not the end of the world; it’s just part of the journey. Each failure is a chance to learn, grow, and become better.

So next time you fail at something, instead of wallowing in self-pity or giving up, take a deep breath and ask yourself: What can I learn from this? How can I improve?

Remember, failure isn’t the opposite of success; it’s part of success. Embrace it, learn from it, and keep moving forward. That’s what mental toughness is all about.