Many dictionaries define mental health as being the absence of mental illness.
But not having depression, anxiety, or another illness doesnt mean youre mentally strong.
In fact, you might still be mentally strong even if youre dealing with amental healthissue.
Verywell / Catherine Song
Mental strength involves your ability to think, feel, and perform at your best.
Mental Strength vs. Building bigger muscles can improve your physical health.
However, big muscles dont guarantee you wont ever deal with a physical health problem, like high cholesterol.
The exercises that build mental strength will also improve your mental health.
And better mental health makes it easier to grow mentally strong.
The ability to cope with negative emotions in a healthy way.
Knowing when to engage with your emotions and when to take a step back.
The presence or absence of a mental health issue.
The overall state of your mental wellness.
Your behavior, in turn, affects how you think.
There is a mind-body connection that links our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
In cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), this is known as the “cognitive triad.”
How to Build Mental Strength
Fortunately, everyone has the ability to build mental strength.
Developing bigger mental muscles takes exercisejust like developing bigger physical muscles.
Building mental strength may, in turn, also improve your mental health.
Cognitive Exercises
Cognitive exercises are those strategies that help you think differently.
These actions help you feel better and perform at your peak.
A Word From Verywell
A lot of people misunderstand mental strength.
They think being strong is about not crying at sad movies or not acknowledging hurt feelings.
But experiencing and expressing normal human emotions takes more strength than suppressing them.
So, dont believe that showing emotion means youre weak.
Similarly, dont buy into the notion that mentally strong people dont ask for help.
If you want to know how to build more mental strength, reach out for help.
New York, NY: William Morrow, an imprint of HarperCollins.
