How to Become Stronger Mentally?

“Don’t mess with me, pork chop, what day is this?” Sometimes it’s easy to feel like you’re in a Groundhog Day situation. 

Never seen it? It follows Phil Connors (played by the great Bill Murray) as he is forced to relive one day over and over (and over) again. Sure, I Got You Babe by Sonny and Cher is fun at first, but I think I’d hate it after a couple of replays, just like poor Phil.

Especially since this guy was estimated to be stuck in his time loop for 33 years and 350 days! 

While things are beginning to look up for our country, living through quarantine and the COVID-19 pandemic might make you feel like you’re living your own version of Groundhog Day. At least we’ve only had to do it for a year, not 33! 

Taking care of our mind wellness and developing mental strength has become crucial during these challenging times.

Even though some sense of normalcy is beginning to return, things like quarantine and social distancing have made us veer off our normal paths regarding self-care activities. Most of us went from going out every day to couch potatoes scrolling through Netflix. 

And guess what? That’s a normal response to such a global event. Because we’ve been thrown off our rhythms, the habits (good and bad) that we’ve built up have slowly sunk away. So, we’ve just been in this state of stillness in which we haven’t even thought about self-care activities. After all, what can we do without ANY habits? 

Oh my friends, have I got something for you? It’s time to change your sweatpants—actually keep those on, I guess—and put on your sneakers because we are about to put in some work. 

Don’t feel comfortable going to a gym or playing team sports yet? There are still so many ways for you to get some exercise. Anything that gets you moving is beneficial to your well-being. 

For example, riding a bike and running are both great self-care activities. Why exercise? Well, not only is physical movement good for your health, you’ll also feel so accomplished after a period of such hardship. 

Engaging in self-care activities is essential for maintaining mental wellness and building mental strength. Alongside physical exercise, it's important to prioritize activities that foster positive thinking, develop mental muscle, and promote a healthy mindset.

Plus, engaging in self-care activities and physical exercise can help alleviate negative emotions and promote a positive mindset.

Your physical health and emotional health are connected. You need both to truly succeed in life!

Being A Growth-Owner Starts with Being Active

So, what's the first step towards becoming mentally strong?

According to the CDC, physical activity is one of the best things you can do to stay healthy.  Especially with COVID-19 at large, with risks that come from cardiovascular disease and diabetes, exercise has never been more fundamental. Much like wearing a mask and washing your hands, physical activity will help you protect yourself while boosting your momentum!

Being active not only enhances our physical strength but also contributes to our mental fitness and overall well-being. Exercise is known to boost mental toughness, help combat negative thoughts and emotions, and promote a positive outlook.

Also Read: List of Personal Values

Even those of you who are gym aficionados may have found some difficulty in sticking to your workout habits. Being limited because of the pandemic has certainly made it harder to follow through on exercise (especially when the couch looks so inviting). 

But thankfully, as our country starts to heal, things are getting more normal with every day. But, there’s no need to wait! You can practice self-care activities by going out, or by staying in the comfort of your own home—and your body will definitely thank you for it. 

Own your physical health by looking for self-care activities that you actually like to do. But be sure to take it easy at first, your body needs to get used to breaking a sweat again. If you want to level up in life, you need to take things one step at a time to get back into your success habits.

Sure, exercise may look a bit different—I’ve been doing push-ups with my kids on my back—but it still helps build positive momentum all the same. This little workout has become something fun that gets my body active and boosts my health during this crazy time. 

Phil from Groundhog Day took over 33 years to realize that he didn’t have to have a victim culture mindset, but when he broke out of his loop he was finally a growth-owner. 

Thankfully, we aren’t stuck in a time loop—at least I don’t think we are. We can use our days to practice healthy self-care activities that help us grow, wayyyyyy faster than Phil.  

Three Tips to Jump-Start Your Self-Care Activities: 

So, I know what you’re thinking: “Where do I start?” Well my friends, here’s how the journey to become mentally tough starts:

• Get up off the couch and turn off Netflix. The first step to habit formation and getting those success habits back is by making a change. I know it’s hard right now, but you’ve got this! 

• Next, gamify your life. What does this mean? Let your technology work FOR you instead of against you! Use social media as a reward for exercise to build up your positivity and overall health. 

• The last step is to find some form of exercise you really enjoy. Whether it be rollerblading, playing Just Dance in your living room, or taking a walk. A perfect daily routine for healthy body and mind is very important. Just find a way to get moving!

Any form of movement that gets you up and you enjoy counts, so don’t feel pressure to exercise in the “correct” way. The best part about self-care activities is that there is no one correct way to do it. I will recommend making a morning routing checklist or follow a clear habit journal that can help you to plan your day accordingly.

If you are a newcomer to exercise make sure not to strain yourself, take it slow and you’re sure to succeed. You can continue to challenge yourself as you go, such as by increasing your speed on the treadmill, or walking an extra mile. 

As you embark on your journey of self-care activities, don't hesitate to seek additional support from a licensed mental health professional. Joining online communities, like my Facebook group, or consulting with a professional can provide valuable insights and guidance for enhancing mental resilience and well-being.

Of course, you can also join my FaceBook group to get even more exercise tips and ideas for self-care activities. As Olivia Newton John would say, Let’s Get Physical! 

Happy moving!

Final Thoughts

In a nutshell, developing mental toughness helps you navigate through challenging times. It equips us with the resilience and determination needed to conquer obstacles and thrive in the face of adversity.

By making self-care activities and mental well-being a priority, we empower ourselves to overcome negative emotions, build a positive mindset, and seek the support we need.

So, let's remember that in the midst of uncertainty, our mental toughness is a guiding force, helping us face challenges head-on and emerge mentally stronger on the other side.

Keep It Up

Want to know where you stand in the five values of life tied to happiness (Your 5 Cores), take this Core Values Quiz to get your core score in the five values of life.