The Difference Between Mental Strength and Mental Health

Mental Strength vs. Mental Health

Understanding the distinction between mental strength and mental health can be greatly clarified when we draw a parallel to the relationship between physical health and physical strength. Just as building larger muscles can enhance your overall physical health, the development of mental strength can contribute positively to one's mental wellbeing. However, it is crucial to note that having well-developed muscles does not inherently protect an individual from experiencing physical health issues, such as hypertension or high cholesterol levels. Similarly, a person may possess considerable mental strength yet still face challenges related to mental health, such as anxiety or depression.

While dealing with a health issue may present certain obstacles that make it more challenging to engage in regular physical activities, individuals can still make conscious choices that facilitate their journey toward becoming physically stronger, even in the face of such challenges. This principle applies equally to the realm of mental strength and mental health. Just as one can adapt their physical exercise routine to accommodate health issues, individuals can also engage in practices that bolster their mental resilience, even when grappling with mental health concerns.

Moreover, the exercises and strategies that contribute to building mental strength—such as practicing mindfulness, setting and achieving goals, and cultivating a positive mindset—also serve to enhance overall mental health. This reciprocal relationship between mental strength and mental health implies that as one improves their mental health through supportive practices and self-care, they create a more conducive environment for developing greater mental resilience. Conversely, as individuals work on enhancing their mental strength through various techniques, they often find that their mental health improves as well, leading to a more balanced and fulfilling life. In this way, the interplay between mental strength and mental health becomes a dynamic process, where efforts in one area invariably influence the other, fostering a holistic approach to mental wellbeing.

Mental Strength

• The ability to cope with negative emotions healthily.

• Understanding your emotions.

• Knowing when to engage with your emotions and when to take a step back.

Mental Health

• The presence or absence of a mental health issue.

• The overall state of your mental wellness.

Three Parts to Mental Strength

Mental strength has three parts:

1. Thinking: It involves the ability to think realistically. That means knowing how to recognize irrational thoughts and replace them with a more realistic inner dialogue. It’s also about speaking to yourself with kindness. So when you’re tempted to be overly critical of yourself, mental strength allows you to respond with self-compassion.

2. Feeling: Mental strength doesn’t involve suppressing your emotions or denying your pain. Instead, it’s about acknowledging how you feel. Sometimes, that means accepting an uncomfortable emotion or even calming yourself down before having a tough conversation.

3. Doing: Mental strength is about taking productive action. Whether that means working out even when you’re tired or it means allowing yourself to engage in self-care, it involves ensuring that your behaviors are good for you.

The way you think affects how you feel and how you feel affects how you behave. Your behavior, in turn, affects how you think. There is a mind-body connection that links thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. In cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), this is known as the "cognitive triad."In the realm of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), this relationship is encapsulated in what is known as the "cognitive triad." The cognitive triad consists of three core components: negative thoughts about oneself, negative thoughts about the world, and negative thoughts about the future. These components interact with one another, creating a cycle of negative thinking that can perpetuate feelings of hopelessness and despair. CBT aims to break this cycle by helping individuals identify and challenge their distorted thinking patterns, thereby altering their emotional responses and behaviors in a positive direction. Through various techniques, such as cognitive restructuring and behavioral activation, CBT encourages individuals to develop healthier thought patterns, which can lead to improved emotional regulation and more adaptive behaviors. By recognizing and modifying the thoughts that contribute to their emotional distress, individuals can experience a shift in their feelings and, ultimately, their actions. This therapeutic approach underscores the significance of awareness and intentionality in fostering mental health, illustrating how a change in one aspect of the cognitive triad can lead to transformative changes across the board.

How to Build Mental Strength

Fortunately, everyone can build mental strength. Developing bigger mental muscles takes exercise—just like developing bigger physical muscles. Building mental strength may, in turn, also improve your mental health.

While many exercises can help you build mental strength, here are a few simple ones that can get you started.

Cognitive Exercises

Cognitive exercises are those strategies that help you think differently. This could include any exercise that helps you think more positively, reframe negative thoughts, or develop a more realistic mindset. Here are some examples of healthy cognitive exercises:

Emotional Exercises

Emotional exercises increase your self-awareness about your emotional state. They may help you recognize when your emotions are helpful or not helpful, they may assist you in identifying strategies that reduce the intensity of your feelings, or they may help you embrace uncomfortable feelings. Here are some examples of emotional exercises

Behavioral Exercises

Behavioral exercises involve taking action to engage in activities that benefit you. These actions enhance your well-being and help you perform optimally. Some examples of behavioral exercises include:

• Conduct behavioral experiments: These experiments are designed to challenge unproductive and self-limiting thoughts.

• Plan positive activities: Enhancing your mental well-being involves making time for activities that bring you happiness, like scheduling a relaxing bath before bed or setting aside time to prepare a nice meal for yourself.

• Participate in hobbies: Hobbies engage your mind in activities you enjoy. Whether it's photography or baking, hobbies can provide a sense of achievement that boosts your self-esteem.