Here we go again. The “New Year, New Me” mantra. Still stuffed from the indulgence of December we often turn our minds to our physical appearance, exercise and food…But what if this year, we focused on a different kind of diet? One that can impact our lives just as much, if not more than what we eat: our mental diet.
When we think of “consumption,” we usually imagine food—what we eat to fuel our bodies. But our diet is much more than just what’s on our plate. It includes what we take in mentally and emotionally every day—through TV shows, newspapers, films, social media, books, the news, radio and even the conversations we have. This mental diet plays a powerful role in shaping our mindset, mood, and overall mental health. So as we step into a fresh year, it’s worth asking: What are we feeding our minds, and how is it affecting us?
Just like with food, some mental “nutrients” are healthy, while others are not. Watching an uplifting film or reading an inspiring book can leave us feeling motivated, hopeful, and more connected to the world around us. On the other hand, consuming too much negative news, violent media, or getting caught up in social media drama can leave us feeling anxious, stressed, or even hopeless. It’s like filling up on junk food—momentarily satisfying, but ultimately harmful if we do it too often.
In today’s world, the news is constantly at our fingertips, and often it emphasises disaster, conflict, or fear. While staying informed is important, constantly consuming negative headlines can distort our view of reality. It can make the world seem darker than it actually is and lead to heightened feelings of anxiety, worry and fear.. Worse, in the age of fake news, misinformation can create confusion and mistrust, making it harder to feel grounded or secure in what we know.
Similarly, the conversations we have shape our views. Surrounding ourselves with positive, supportive people who engage in healthy discussions can lift our spirits and nourish our minds. But spending too much time around toxic people or negative conversations can weigh us down emotionally, feeding feelings of anger, cynicism, or despair.
Much like our physical diet, balance is key. We can’t (and shouldn’t) avoid all negative content or uncomfortable conversations, just like we can’t eat desserts all day, there has to be balance. But being mindful of what we mentally consume and making conscious choices to include positive, enriching content and meaningful conversations can help us maintain a healthier mental state.
The New Year is the perfect time to reset, not just our physical habits, but our mental ones too. Consider how often you check the news or scroll through social media. Do these activities leave you feeling informed and inspired, or overwhelmed and anxious? Are the shows you watch and the books you read helping you grow, or just filling your time?
Even the people you surround yourself with are part of your mental diet—are they lifting you up or pulling you down?This year, instead of only focusing on cutting calories or carbs, think about cutting back on mental junk food. Just as we balance our meals with a variety of nutrients, we can balance our mental diet by consuming content that inspires, having conversations that uplift, and seeking out the interesting bits that make us feel wonderful! And all this without treadmill in sight!
Shannon Humphrey is a first aid for mental health instructor find out more about her work at: www.pathwaysforpositivity.com
Photo: Shutterstock
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