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If you’ve ever met a mentally resilient person, and you’re not one yourself, you may have felt envious of their seeming ability to roll with every punch, tackle every obstacle with ease, and allow even the most scathing criticism to simply roll off their back. While there’s no magic bullet for mental resilience, there are some tried-and-true habits that most mentally strong people stick to that help to bolster their resilience. If you’re aiming to become more resilient, developing these and other habits is a good way to start.
1. Be persistent in pursuing your goals.
One reason mentally resilient people are so tough is that they’re focused on achieving an end result, and they relentlessly pursue their objectives. Be sure to set realistic targets, as unattainable goals can end up having the opposite effect. With the finish line in sight and your eyes on the prize, it’s easier to let insignificant details roll off your back and keep your pace towards your goals.
2. Look at every situation objectively.
Understanding that people are all fundamentally the same, yet they bring unique backgrounds, experiences, and circumstances, all of which alter their perspectives – thus making them unique – is the basic tenet of objectivity. The ability to analyze any situation with an objective mindset greatly enhances the ability to find the positive in any situation and develop win-win solutions for overcoming practically any challenge.
3. Practice mindfulness.
Change is inevitable, and those who cope best with changing circumstances are best able to weather the worst storms. By embracing change, you can maintain an optimistic outlook on every situation knowing that wherever change leads you, you’ll work it out.
4. Get a rewarding internship or side job.
Rewarding work is a great opportunity to boost your resume, but it’s also a great way to boost your mental health. Perhaps you could intern or volunteer for a local nonprofit. Helping out those in your community will make you feel good and will be a great life experience. If you want to make some extra cash while in school, there are plenty of opportunities through the sharing economy that are flexible and will help you maintain a positive outlook. For example, you can get paid to hang out with animals as a dog sitter or dog walker. Having these rewarding work-related experiences are sure to give you a boost throughout the school year.
5. Treat your body well.
Mental resilience doesn’t come only from mind tricks and new ways of thinking; it’s also heavily reliant on how well you take care of your physical health. That means getting enough quality sleep each night, eating a healthy diet rich in vitamins and nutrients, and taking part in regular physical activity. Find a workout or form of exercise that you can do at home, and you won’t have to talk yourself into keeping your commitment to yourself each day.
This article was contributed by guest author Jennifer McGregor.