What is mental toughness?
Mental toughness is having the ability to overcome challenges, and endure difficult situations with minimal stress to ourselves. We can control how we feel in any situation. Having mental toughness allows us to respond in a manner that best suits us, and our peace of mind. This includes when in a fight, the more mental toughness you have, the easier it will be to defend yourself in a self defense situation.
Why should you build mental toughness?
Being mentally tough gives you the best opportunity to handle situations in a way that both serve you, and positively affect people around you. For example, imagine if someone comes into your office with problem, and you fly off the handle in response. Not only have you stressed yourself out, but now you've created a relationship problem with the other person. Acting like this regularly will end in people not wanting to work with you.
Additionally, building mental toughness allows to not shy away from physically and emotionally challenging situations. It also allows us not to escape into destructive behaviors because we can’t handle facing our emotions.
How do you build mental toughness?
Below is a list of simple (but not easy) things you can start doing to increase your mental toughness:
Wake up early to exercise, or learn a new skill.
Take cold showers.
Go to a new place and meet new people.
Make yourself do things that you don't want to do (i.e., starting an exercise program).
Do small activities to get you closer to your goals.
Workout without music (one of my favorite strategies).
Practice gratitude instead of complaining when situations arise.
Admit mistakes, and don't justify them.
Be rigorously honest with yourself about every situation in your life (you'll be surprised how many of them you created).
There are other strategies too, but these will get you well on your way to building up your mental toughness muscles. Whether you're looking to get the edge in fighting or just living, consistently practicing these strategies will help you achieve your goals.
If you're interested in learning more essential self-defense techniques and tactics, get my book, The Short Fight, on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B094GG6W1H
You'll receive free lifetime access to my video library that contains over 100 self-defense and fitness videos at www.theshortfight.com
Want to get in the best shape of your life? Check out our fitness training programs here https://www.theshortfight.com/fitness
Until next time, Stay Safe!
Lawrence Castanon
Author, The Short Fight
@theshortfight