It is unrealistic, irrational, and potentially destructive to
say that "what doesn't kill you will make you stronger." While it
is possible that certain people with horrendous experiences are better for
their survival, this is actually only true if they were healthy to start with.
Others are more likely to be deeply affected and die in pain for decades after
horrible events.
Repeated unfortunate incidents can lead people to a survivor's
mind, a resilience that is narrow but not conducive to the creation of a
balanced, healthy mental and emotional existence. British author and broadcaster
Lemn Sissay MBE clarified in a current BBC interview that while his infancy the experience strengthened him, he would not want this sort of resilience as his
worst enemy.
The theory of emotional or mental toughness has been well
known, first studied in the 1960s. However, the definition seems to be a
hit-all word for all anxiety and stress problems. In fact, it is an entirely
passive concept that blurs the line from the resilient technology that can
withstand extreme storms. It's about "sticking in."
On the other hand, the theory of mental toughness provides an
excellent parable term that, while integrating many of the main resilience
concepts provide people with a better and more focused way to deal with
stressful conditions. The main difference is not just to bathe down the hatches
in the presence of psychological disturbances, but to be able to search for and
succeed in difficult circumstances. In this sense, mental toughness is a decisive
psychological factor linked to performance and to find opportunities for
independence and improvement with psychologically advantageous characteristics
that go beyond embracing and addressing depression.Several researchers has created the "4Cs" model of mental toughness, which is the most commonly used to describe and quantify mental strength. It has 4 elements: commitment, control, confidence, and challenge.
Survive and thrive
By contrast with resiliency and some other resilience models,
the reverse is not a vulnerability but sensitivity in the 4Cs model. Sensitive
people find pressures hard to deal with. Nevertheless, they have a creative and
unique perspective on the world that contributes to the complexity of
discussion and debate. While mentally tougher people can see the world in
depth, fragile people will be more likely to see this as an evocative abstract.
Both are true and should be promoting and respects. Nevertheless,
in many stressful situations mentally tough people tend to succeed and are often
far more likely to be in the high ranking officials and thus set the rules. This
advancement to the top usually begins at school. There is strong evidence that
learners with higher mental toughness perform better through exams and so many
other changes that affect most education systems.
It would be beneficial if schools can offer more significant support to more sensitive learners, although this is impossible in these resource-decreased times. The research shows that in a younger population, the tough becomes stronger and the sensitive becomes more vulnerable as they grow and change.
Can we Develop our 'Mental toughness'?
Researchers have already stated that mental toughness
conceptually overlaps with other qualities that have can be defined as essential
for learning, such as Resilience, perseverance, self-efficacy, confidence, and
inspiration. Teachers usually have a keen interest in promoting such positive
mental qualities to help make sure that they become successful learners and
reliable persons who reach academic achievements and make a positive
contribution to society.
With AQR International, Prof. Clough has worked with lots of
schools in northern England to develop the mental toughness of learners. The
goal is to expand the quality of the test, to reduce change stress, and,
perhaps most importantly, to improve well-being. Even though twin research has
suggested that there is a biological dimension to mental toughness, therefore,
we can still learn and develop our mental toughness. It involves a set of tools
of motivational skills, including mindfulness, positive thinking, building
confidence and detailed measurement of mental toughness with guidance.
How to Develop Mental Toughness?
The methods for mental toughness enhancement use a mixture of
active learning and reinforcement of purposeful practice and contemplation. The
result is a full package of valuable social, medical, education, and employment
applications. It applies to every aspect of improving personal performance,
healthy behavior many well-being. The essential curriculum is flexible in size
to conform to particular needs.
For instance, in three elementary schools in Salford, the Salford NHS Clinical Commissioning
Group are funding a program designed to improve non-cognitive
skills–particularly mental toughing. Tougher Minds concentrates on children
from nine to 10 years of age and provides exercises such as teaching learners
how to make positive comments, recognize heroes and heroines, and set realistic
goals in a small or independent group as a whole.
The latest report shows a statistically meaningful positive change in learners' mental strength, ability, trust, emotional control, and life management ratings.
Below are 6 Simple Steps To Help You Develop Your Mental Toughness:
1. Learn to be a Positive Thinker
By learning to be a positive thinker does not mean that you live in the sand and disregardless enjoyable circumstances in life. A Positive thinker is a person who can cope more confidently and productively with bitterness. In either case, you think that the best thing will happen when you decide to be productive in your daily life.
2. Set Your Goals
Compelling goals are the key to success. Whether it improves your knowledge, takes on a new passion or recovers a friendship. Having goals allows us to evolve and grow and to change ourselves in ways we never dreamed before. In essence, there are two ways to set compelling goals. The first way is by identifying what you desire the most. In order to do this, you need to have a clear outcome in mind. And the second way is to be asking yourself the right questions that could change your way of life into a better future.
3. Empower Your Attentional Control
Attentional control is the ability to direct attention to one task that is relevant to our current goals and minimizing the external influences that could make us procrastinate. Many studies say that a person more likely to accomplish a task if they stay focused on their goal. In brief, Attentional Control can make your decision more useful and relevant to the goal that you already set.
4. Sharpen Your Visual Imagery
For years, therapists use visual imagery to boost people's success in competency-based tasks, build desirable psychological environments, and accomplish life goals. Simply visualizing playing the guitar can actually enhance someone’s ability to play one song. For this reason, being able to do something in your brain increases your chances of being confident in real life.
5. Do Meditation
If you are nervous, depressed, and concerned about stress, spend time trying meditation. Meditation will alleviate the pressure of the day, giving inner peace. Further research has shown that a solid five minutes of meditation can improve both your psychological well-being and your general health. And these benefits don't stop at the end of your meditation. Meditation can help you get calmer through the day and allow you to strengthen your mental strength.
6. Self Awareness
Self-awareness is the ability to examine and identify yourself as a distinct person from the world and other individuals. Self-awareness helps you appreciate other peoples, how they portray you at this moment, your mood and your responses. You can track your emotions and thoughts from moment to moment with Self-awareness. Many studies have shown self-awareness as an essential feature for successful mental toughness.
Conclusion
A correlation between resilience and mental health has shown
in other recent research. People mustn't be just thrown into the deep end to
see if they will succeed or fail. The key is in detailed and personalized
strategies. Studies have recognized that mental toughness is part of the daily
speech of young people, and as it sounds less abstract than some other words,
it can create interest for the children and adolescents, particularly those who
may find it difficult or most in need.
Source: Peter Clough, Professor of Psychology, University of
Huddersfield.
This content is under a Creative Commons license
from The Conversation. Read the original article here.
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