Building our inner strength takes time and effort – just like building physical strength. Like our physical strength provides the ability to endure and achieve physical feats. Our inner strength is our resolve and resilience. It provides us with the ability to endure and achieve moral and emotional feats. Every day is a new challenge and for some of us it seems like one wave after another tests our resilience to the max. This short list might be a great place to start:
Physical activity builds inner strength
For a number of reasons ranging from the effect endorphins have on our mental health to the simple impact of achieving a goal working out can have significant and lasting effects on our inner strength and resilience. Exercise reorganizes the brain to be more resilient to stress.
Affirmations work
Research shows that affirmations are not only positive an uplifting but also grounded in science. According to self-affirmation theory (Steele, 1988) we can maintain our sense of self-integrity by telling ourselves (or affirming) what we believe in positive ways. Self-integrity is connected to self-efficacy—our perceived ability to control moral outcomes and respond flexibly when our self-concept is threatened (Cohen & Sherman, 2014).
Yoga boosts inner strength
While yoga has certainly become a trendy topic (again) in recent years its origins date back centuries before pop culture and the internet made it what it is today. This physical activity is grounded in some of the deepest depths of culture and mindfulness practices. Give it a try with these 31 Yoga Poses for Beginners.
Readers are leaders
Even in our own lives we need to see ourselves as leaders but as parents, friends, and co-workers, and supervisors we play a role in our networks that even unintentionally we lead and inspire others. Reading can build resilience. Fiction is a great place to consider the impossible as possible and non-fiction helps us see other perspectives. No matter what we’re reading it takes our brains to a new place where we can learn and grow.
Lean into discomfort
Last on the list (for now) is to embrace the suck. We grow our inner strength when our resilience is tested by remaining in our comfort zones. One of the simplest practices to to break out of our comfort zone is try something new. One of the safest ways to do that is through the intentional practice of gratitude. Give this 10 ways a try.