Are You Mentally Strong?

When things don’t go your way, is your first instinct to get angry? When something bad happens, do you dwell on the negativity? Do you often blame others before taking responsibility for your own life? Your answers to these questions may give you insight into how mentally strong you are. But what exactly does it mean to be mentally strong?

According to psychotherapist and author Amy Morin, mentally strong people “know how to regulate their emotions.” Even in the worst case scenario, “they can control their feelings well enough that they can move forward.” Self pity is thrown to the wayside. There’s no time to dwell on the problems because that takes time away from looking for solutions, which is another important characteristic of mentally strong individuals.

The ability to take positive action and identify concrete steps that will lead to success and happiness is imperative. They also know how to regulate their thoughts, Morin adds. They’re aware when their thoughts are overly exaggerated or negative and they can shift their minds to fix that thought process.

Morin recommends identifying your worst mental habit, whether it’s comparing yourself to others, dwelling on the past, being too hard on yourself, or forgetting to look on the bright side. After identifying this bad habit, work slowly on a daily basis to fix it. Become more self aware when your mind shifts to a bad place. Good habits like practicing gratitude, hanging out with friends, and exercising are also a key component to becoming mentally strong.

Watch the full video on CNBC here.

Image via Hey Paul Studios/Flickr.