We wake up feeling like we’re ready to take on the world on some days, but not on others. Even a small setback seems overwhelming on those days, and it’s difficult to keep from giving in to the pressure. What causes this to occur, then? It turns out that mental resilience is what allows us to recover from life’s setbacks, even though our ability to handle them fluctuates daily. You may laugh off spilling coffee on your white shirt before changing on days when you’re feeling strong. That same incident, however, can feel like the end of the world on a day when you’re feeling exhausted. In its most basic definition, mental strength is the ability to cope with life’s obstacles, demands, and tensions. Being mentally strong does not guarantee that you will never feel uncertain, irritated, frustrated, or depressed. Rather, it concerns your long-term coping mechanisms, such as self-awareness, emotional resilience, and flexibility when faced with shifting conditions. The ability to control one’s emotions or the absence of mental health conditions are not considered aspects of mental strength. In actuality, many people who have learned to cope with mental health issues like depression or ADHD have grown stronger mentally as a result.
