Fueling Beyond Food: Protecting What You Feed Your Mind
When we talk about “fueling our body,” we often jump straight to nutrition—and rightly so. What we eat plays a major role in how we feel, function, and show up each day. But this week, I want to flip the script and talk about another kind of fuel.
Because we don’t just feed our bodies through food.
We feed ourselves through everything we consume.
What we watch, listen to, scroll past, read, engage in… all of it becomes fuel.
Think about your mental diet the same way you think about your physical one. If you’re constantly snacking on stress-inducing news, comparison-filled social media, and noise that never stops—what impact do you think that has on your energy, mood, focus, or self-worth?
The Hidden Impact of Digital Consumption
Research continues to show the connection between screen time, social media, and our mental health. Studies have linked excessive social media use to anxiety, depression, and loneliness. One particularly eye-opening study from the Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology found that limiting social media use to 30 minutes per day can lead to significant improvements in well-being.
In Digital Minimalism, author Cal Newport makes a compelling case that we are losing our ability to focus, to be alone with our thoughts, and to feel grounded—all because we’re drowning in digital noise. He says:
“You cannot expect to make meaningful changes in your life if you do not first take control of your attention.”
What Are You Feeding Your Mind?
If you’ve been feeling distracted, low on energy, or unusually anxious, it may not just be about what’s on your plate. It could be what’s on your screen. Just like food, what we consume mentally can either nourish or drain us.
So what can we do?
3 Steps to Protect Your Mental Fuel
1. Audit Your Inputs
Take stock of what you’re consuming daily. What accounts are you following? What kind of content fills your feed? What do you listen to when you're driving or folding laundry? Is it leaving you feeling inspired… or depleted?
2. Set Boundaries with Tech
You don’t have to delete everything—but you do need a plan. Try:
Designating screen-free hours (especially in the morning and before bed)
Moving distracting apps off your home screen
Using apps like “Freedom” or “Focus” to limit usage
Even 24 hours off social media each week can bring clarity and reset your mental state.
3. Choose Fuel, Not Filler
Be intentional with your inputs. Follow creators who uplift and educate. Swap doomscrolling for a life-giving podcast. Trade background TV for a walk in nature or a face-to-face chat with someone you love. Replace noise with stillness whenever possible.
Your mental fuel matters just as much as your physical fuel. You are always feeding yourself—so be sure it’s with things that bring peace, clarity, and strength.
This week, ask yourself:
What am I consuming—and is it fueling the person I want to become?
Choose wisely.
XO,
Caroline