When it comes to our mental health, many of us have a “fixed mindset.” We may think that our intelligence, personality traits, and physical abilities are set in stone. This mindset can impact how we approach life and how we respond to challenges. Interestingly enough, research suggests that having a growth mindset can help improve not only your mental health but also your overall well-being.
So what is it exactly? And why should you care? In this blog, we’ll explore the difference between these two mindsets so you can learn how having a growth mindset could help boost your mental health and well-being.
What is a fixed mindset?
A fixed mindset is the belief that your abilities are fixed. It’s the idea that your intelligence, talent, and ability are static and can’t be changed.
Fixed mindsets tend to lead to negative consequences because they make people feel like they have no control over their success or failure in life. If you believe that you’re going to fail at something because it’s out of your control, like being smart enough or talented enough–you’ll also feel like there’s nothing you can do about it except give up before even trying.
In contrast with a growth mindset, people believe that their skills can be developed through hard work (and maybe some luck). They see failure as an opportunity for improvement rather than something insurmountable – meaning they’re more likely to try again when faced with challenges or difficulties! (1)
What is a growth mindset?
A growth mindset is a belief that intelligence and talents can be developed through effort and learning. People with this mindset believe they can improve their skills, intelligence, and talents through hard work and practice. The opposite of a growth mindset would be a fixed mindset where you believe your abilities are fixed by nature (i.e., “I’m not smart enough to do this”, “it’s too late”, ).
A person with this kind of attitude will try harder when they encounter difficulties because they know it’s possible for them to succeed if they just put in more effort than others might have put in before them. (2)
How can having a growth mindset impact your mental health?
A growth mindset can help you cope with difficulties and increase your resilience.
When you have a growth mindset, you are more likely to view difficult situations as challenges rather than threats, making it easier for you to cope with obstacles. In addition, when you believe that people’s talents and abilities can grow through effort, then failure does not have to be seen as something negative or shameful–instead, it’s just an opportunity for learning and improvement in the future!
A growth mindset can also help boost feelings of self-compassion by making us less harsh on ourselves when things don’t go our way (for example: “I’m terrible at this!” versus “It’s okay if I fail”). This means that having a growth mindset may reduce stress levels by helping us see ourselves in less critical ways during times of difficulty or failure, which leads me nicely to my next point…
Research shows that having a growth mindset can positively influence your mental health and well-being.
- A growth mindset can help you deal with failure.
- A growth mindset can help you overcome obstacles.
- A growth mindset can help you achieve your goals.
- Having a growth mindset will make it easier for you to learn new things, which in turn will make learning something new more enjoyable!
- Having a positive outlook on life and yourself is also linked with increased confidence and resilience–both of which are great attributes if we want to live healthier lives! (3)
Studies have shown that a growth mindset can positively influence mental health and well-being. In fact, people who have a growth mindset are more likely to be mentally healthy than those who have a fixed mindset.
Being able to see yourself as a work in progress, rather than someone who is either “good” or “bad” at something, can help you embrace challenges and learn from them. You will be better equipped to deal with failures as they come your way, allowing you to grow as a person.
Disclaimer: The content of this blog is intended for informative purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you currently suffer from anxiety, depression, or any other mental health issue, we strongly encourage you to seek help or continue to seek help from a qualified mental health professional. Remember, there is no shame in asking for help and taking care of your mental well-being.