You Are What You Eat: How Your Information Diet Shapes Your Mental Health in Uncertain Times

Let’s take a breath together, because whew — the world is A LOT right now.

From the constant stream of headlines to the emotional labor many of us carry at home, at work, and in our communities, it’s no wonder anxiety is running high.

It's moments like this, where so much feels out of our control, that it's tempting to numb out, shut down, or just go on autopilot. But here's what I want to offer you, heart to heart:

You have more power than you think.

And one of the first places that power lives? Your diet — and I don’t just mean what's on your plate.

Let’s Redefine “Diet”

When most people hear "diet," they think of food. And yes, food matters — especially in moments of stress and uncertainty. The gut and brain are in constant conversation, so what you eat can absolutely impact your mood, energy, and ability to emotionally regulate. But food is just one part of your diet. Your diet is everything you consume — that includes the news you watch, the social media you scroll, the conversations you engage in, the voices you give weight to, and even the thoughts you rehearse day in and day out. And just like food, some of what we’re consuming is nourishing… and some of it is straight up draining.

Why This Matters Now

We are living in a moment where anxiety, uncertainty, and overstimulation are everywhere. We’re taking in a constant flood of content, opinions, fears, warnings, and noise — and without realizing it, it starts to shape how we see ourselves, the world, and what’s possible.

If your information diet is unfiltered and unchecked, it will impact your mental health. You might feel more anxious, more irritable, more helpless, or even paralyzed — not because something is wrong with you, but because your nervous system is overloaded.

Just like we wouldn’t eat food that makes us sick on purpose, we have to become just as discerning with what we feed our minds.

Intentional Consumption = Mental Clarity

So how do we start making those shifts? Here’s what I encourage my clients (and myself!) to lean into:

🥦 Nourish Your Body

Choose foods that ground you and support your gut-brain connection. Whole foods, hydration, warm meals — these things really can support emotional balance.

🧠 Nourish Your Mind

Unfollow accounts that leave you drained. Mute the noise. Take breaks from doomscrolling. Choose podcasts, books, and people that pour into you, not pull you down.

💬 Nourish Your Spirit

Pay attention to the conversations you’re having. Are they reflective, hopeful, honest? Or are they cycles of fear, gossip, and burnout? Protect your peace.

🧘🏽‍♀️ Practice Mindfulness Around All You Consume

Just like mindful eating helps your body respond with ease, mindful taking-in helps your mind. Notice how you feel after you take something in. If it feels tight, heavy, anxious — that’s information. Your body is telling you something.

Final Word: You Can Start Now

This moment in history is no doubt overwhelming. But it’s also an invitation — to reset, to reclaim, and to start again more intentionally. You may not be able to change the world overnight, but you can change the way you move through it. And that starts by being mindful of your diet — all of it.

At Amethyst Counseling Services, we believe healing is holistic. That means tending to your mind, your emotions, your body, and yes — your daily intake. Because what you consume, you carry. And what you carry becomes how you live.

If you’re feeling the weight of it all, we’re here. Whether it’s anxiety, burnout, or just needing space to process — you don’t have to navigate it alone.

With love and intention,

The Mindful Maya