She might sound like a fictional character but what if that strong, sexy, sophisticated woman was you? Yes, you.
If you need convincing, perhaps now's the time to develop your most empowering traits. Here's how.
1. Build a stronger body with exercise
It's easy to understand how to build your physical strength. You do some cardio and weight lifting, you build muscle and repeat. Before you know it, you're able to run on that treadmill for an hour or do another 10 crunches. Congratulations! You've got a stronger body.
But you won't get a stronger body without making a commitment.
"Feeling stronger has to be a 'must' - a non-negotiable - not just a 'want,’” explains Lisa Martin, author, consultant and certified coach. "When something is a 'must' for you, developing physical strength does not fit into your lifestyle, your lifestyle fits around your building strength."
2. Go for a walk
Sure, walking can improve your agility but it can also be mentally healing. "It allows you to clear your mind and slow the world down," says Sarah Hampson, author of Happily Ever After Divorce (Knopf, 2010).
So even if you have only 20 minutes to spare, she urges you to set aside some time for a good walk. "It's so easy to do and it doesn't require much skill."
3. Spend time with friends
But mental strength can be more elusive than physical strength. Or is it?
After the end of an 18-year marriage, Hampson credits her friends for helping her to sustain her strength. "It's important to have that connection to people around you," she explains. "Having a willingness to discuss difficult things, not being afraid to say you've made mistakes, getting affirmation and knowing that, by talking about your situation, you can help others…it makes you feel stronger."
To fuel the force of friendships in your life, Hampson recommends throwing a dinner party and inviting a group of people who might enjoy one another's company. "There's a conviviality that happens around a table," she declares. And, "You never know how many people want to have a sense of community and connection."
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