Your Diet is Not Only What you Eat

Have you ever considered the impact that your media and social circle have on your mental health? It’s not just about what’s on your plate, but also what’s in your earbuds and who’s at your lunch table. As it turns out, maintaining a healthy diet involves way more than just food. In fact, “Your diet is not only what you eat. It’s what you watch, listen to, read, and who you hang out with.” This quote is popping up all over the place in conversations about mental wellness and for good reason.

Have you paused to ponder the how, when, and why behind our media consumption? How easily and freely do we accept relationships without critically thinking about their purpose or place in our lives? Media can have a tremendous effect on our thinking; but do we honor its persuasive power enough to filter between what is helpful versus toxic? Do those particular friendships set your life purpose on the path you want for yourself or not?

When we think of what we watch, it’s easy to think of the shows and movies that we stream on our laptops or TVs. But have you ever considered what type of media you choose? Do you watch inspiring stories about people who overcome obstacles or do you get stuck in a loop watching drama and violence? That means if you’re binge-watching true crime documentaries all day, you might start to think everyone around you is a serial killer. If you’re watching too much reality TV, you might start to think that it’s normal to have screaming fights over a glass of wine with your significant other. The type of media that we consume can affect our mood and our outlook on life. 

We’re living in a world where everyone is trying to shout their opinions the loudest, and it can be overwhelming. But here’s the thing: you don’t have to listen to everyone. You wouldn’t take medical advice from a plumber, would you? So why would you listen to some random person on the internet spewing nonsense about politics or science or anything for that matter? When it comes to music, think about the songs that you have on repeat. The rhythm, lyrics, and melodies can often shape our emotions. Are they positive and uplifting or do they bring up feelings of sadness? Music may be an effective way to help cope with stress, anger, or anxiety when the right songs are chosen.  It’s time to start being more selective about what we let into our ears and our minds. It’s like going to a party and picking the playlist – you want to make sure people are dancing, not falling asleep or fighting over the aux cord.

What about books? Do you read inspiring stories of success or do you stick to titles that revolve around tragedy and sadness? Choosing books that help us to gain perspective can be a great way to focus on the positive aspects of life. 

The last part of this quote is as important as finding toilet paper in a pandemic. The people that we choose to spend our time with can have a profound impact on our mental health and well-being.  Are you a ‘pandemic Pete’ who surrounds yourself with negativity or do you choose to chill with the positive vibes tribe? Having meaningful conversations and connecting with those who have similar interests can be extremely beneficial for both your mental and emotional well-being. 

The takeaway from this post is that our diet isn’t just about the food we eat; it’s about the media we consume and the relationships we cultivate. In order to have a balanced lifestyle, choose things that will bring you joy and help you cultivate strong relationships with positive people. Surround yourself with positive people who lift you higher than Elon Musk’s space shuttle. A healthy diet of good vibes and awesome relationships is as important as getting vaccinated against FOMO. Otherwise, you’ll end up like the people who believe that the earth is flat, that baby Yoda is a real baby, or that Carole Baskin is innocent.