Have you ever felt overwhelmed by a tough choice and stuck in indecision? When it happens to me, it’s as if things are moving too quickly to keep up with or figure out. In those moments, I’m tempted to lean on what I already know, what I expect to happen, and what I wish to be true.

While this persistence is admirable in some circumstances, it’s not a reliable approach in a constantly changing world. It’s a recipe for ongoing frustration and an increased likelihood of falling behind.

Mental flexibility is not an approach that jumps on every new fad or changes your opinion on a whim—rather it’s a nimble, agile, and curious attitude toward life.

Those with mental flexibility can adapt to change without feeling their worldview has come crashing down. They can change directions without feeling that they’ve wasted time. They can consider opposing ideas without feeling that their identity is at stake. In this way, they are resilient to life’s unexpected nature.

If being more adaptable and less fragile to whatever life might throw your way appeals to you, keep reading. We'll consider some specific benefits of mental flexibility along with a look into the mindset that helps you reach that goal.

6 Benefits of Mental Flexibility

1. Adapt to Change More Quickly

Life never stands still, does it? Jobs change, we age, and the culture around us shifts. I know many people who find this fact of life to be a great annoyance, as if they were promised consistency. Mentally flexible people can quickly adjust and make the best of new circumstances.

2. A More Creative Approach to Problem-Solving

With flexibility comes the ability to see things from multiple perspectives. Because you’re willing to see and consider things that many aren’t, you can come up with novel ideas in a new situation. Creativity comes from mashing together ideas from different places—a type of mental agility.

3. Better Decision Making in the Face of Complexity

Sometimes, even the best leaders become stubborn. They get locked into a path they started down or are unwilling to consider options other than what’s worked in the past. Eventually, what worked in the past stops working, and these people may be left behind. Flexible thinking allows you to accept that circumstances change, and you must, too.

4. Improved Relationships Thanks to the Ability to Bend

Many relational battles come from either side unwilling to accommodate the other’s perspective. When you think you’re absolutely right on a matter, it’s very hard to respect the other person’s opinion. Mentally flexible people still have their convictions but also have the humility to consider other views as legitimate, allowing for dialogue.

5. Less Stress and a More Stable Emotional Life

One of the most stress-inducing feelings for me is the sense that life is happening to me, and I can’t control it. A few years back, it felt like we were getting hit left and right with thousands of dollars of expenses for our home, and I couldn’t stop the bleeding. Mental flexibility meant accepting that fate and being more creative with spending.

6. Resilience in the Face of Challenges and Struggles

People who feel like they only have one option are quick to get frustrated when that one path looks to be failing. They can’t imagine another way through, so they fear all is being lost. In the case of my unexpected home costs, I recognized that I couldn’t get the money back the same way I was spending it, but I could always tighten the belt in other areas.

3 Ways to Increase Your Mental Flexibility

1. Regularly Challenge Your Assumptions

Except for a few deeply held values and commitments, you should regularly challenge your ideas and consider if there’s a better way. That means thinking for yourself and verifying ideas against your own experiences, not just what you’ve been told on authority.

2. Embrace Diverse Perspectives and Opinions

Seek out people and sources of information that agree with your default opinions and how their arguments compare. Don’t be quick to shoot them down until you can articulate the best version of the other side’s argument.

3. Move Outside Your Comfort Zone

Inflexibility comes when we get too used to our comforts and routines. While tempting, routine comforts ultimately backfire and make you cling too tightly to those things. Make sure you are regularly pushing yourself into uncomfortable circumstances.