Mental fortitude or mental strength refers to emotional resiliency. In a world where war, poverty, and corruption plague our society—it takes a mentally strong person to keep going.

What is Mental Fortitude?

However, that is not to say that being emotionally resilient does not mean you don’t experience negative emotions. If anything, it means you know how to regulate your emotions and reactions healthily. Individuals must learn to effectively deal with challenges, pressures, and stressors to develop a strong mind.

Why is Mental Fortitude Important?

There are many reasons why it helps to be mentally strong.

Some of these reasons include the following:

• It reduces your fear of failure;
• It helps you develop healthy coping mechanisms and be more compassionate to yourself; and
• It allows you to appreciate and learn from your challenges

How to Develop Mental Toughness

As you can see, there are many upsides to developing mental toughness. If you are looking to improve your perspective on life, here are ways how to have mental fortitude:

1. Be honest with your feelings.

Acknowledging emotions like fear, nervousness, anger, and pain can be difficult. For some, it is easy to keep them buried within you and ignore them completely. However, this habit can backfire, making you more avoidant and less aggressive. If you cannot be honest with yourself, how can you be honest with others?

2. Be self-compassionate.

Many often scold themselves with petty words and insults when they make mistakes. However, individuals prone to depression may internalize these words and believe they are useless just because they made a mistake.

To avoid the spirals of depression, consider cutting yourself some slack by learning self-compassion. Avoid name-calling yourself, and try to make every mistake a learning opportunity.

3. Take small steps towards your goal.

Taking on a big project can be overwhelming, especially with high standards. However, it helps to break down your tasks into simple, easy-to-do steps to prevent the sudden surge of anxiety. This step not only lessens the burden on your mind but also helps you reach your goal at a steady pace.

4. Be mindful of yourself.

Practicing mindfulness involves being fully present. Meditation can be a great way to help you practice mindfulness and help keep you grounded.

5. Externalize your emotions through healthy outlets.

Feeling an onslaught of emotions can be overwhelming. To keep yourself calm and collected, consider picking a healthy outlet like exercise or art.

6. Have a healthy lifestyle.

Developing mental strength doesn’t rely on willpower alone. A healthy lifestyle, like eating the right foods and a regular exercise routine can do wonders for your brain!

The Bottom Line:

Developing mental fortitude requires effort and patience. Contact a licensed therapist if you want more practical ways to build mental fortitude.