3 physical things that have helped me become mentally stronger

Mental toughness. Strong willed, Call it what you want but at some point you are going to need it.

These are three physical things that helped me get mentally tough.

1) Training: Training myself as a strength athlete required a huge level of mental strength. It is not easy to go back again and again and challenge the body to new levels everyday. Training with weights- whether body weight or free weight is really demanding most of the time. I remember finishing some really hard days at work and then pushing myself to the gym. To make matters worse it was leg day!! There were days when someone would really try me at work, I would come out and it would be pouring rain. I would ride back on my bike and then haul myself to the gym. 

Sometimes growing stronger mentally came right in the middle of training. Should I lift another set? Should I squat another set or let it go this time only? I pushed through, did the other set. I might not have had the physical results to show for it but mentally I grew stronger.

Training through injury is another face. When you are really excited about training and get injured it is really demotivating. I remember I trained AROUND (not through) injuries with a splint on my hand, walking on a crutch. etc. Training hard builds you mentally.

For a great mental toughness program I strongly recommend this mental toughness training plan from Zach Even-Esh.

2) Intermittent Fasting (IF): I have covered IF previously in another post. I have learnt that fasting helps you learn a lot about yourself and builds up mental strength quickly. I strongly recommend giving it a try (please consult with a physician before starting on it). I had to learn what my body was craving for and what it needed. To follow more on IF i suggest you strongly get this book

Click Here!

3) Cold Water showers: Why would I do something like that? There are plenty of reasons

• Boosts nervous system
• gets you alert
• Enhances recovery
• gets you mentally tough

No one is going to know if you stand under that shower with ice cold water once you make the decision. Im not saying get drenched in cold water but at least start with 30 seconds as cold as you can bear and work your way up to two minutes. Army trainings take place in rain or swimming pools, sports teams train in pools or rain, warriors of the old days used to train in rain. It makes them the tough champions and warriors they need to be.

Real Life Story: A few months ago I was helping some friends shift things and I had to make it back for a meeting. Shifting is never easy:) Running up and down stairs, lifting and moving heavy stuff. It so happened we got delayed with the shifting. I remember skipping lunch effortlessly and just getting into the wash room for a cold shower. I was ready in 7 minutes with a full half hour left to make for the meeting. I showed up absolutely fresh and with accelerated energy levels! It felt great. It is a story where in one day, these three keys I talked about right here all came together to help me out. 

I suggest you give it a go. If you need help regarding how to implement these please leave a comment or shoot your questions in the comment box. Here is to you becoming mentally stronger....