It's here, ladies!
Forget paleo, vegan, high fat, low fat... whatever. This diet is guaranteed to improve your mood, boost your self-esteem and make you feel more beautiful in just minutes.
It isn't a fad, is incredibly affordable and could actually save you time.
Introducing the media diet.
The media diet is the diet you've been waiting for and it's the only diet you need. Your confidence will soar and there's no juicing, plucking or sweating required.
As a self-confessed media junkie, I'm on the media diet and would love you to join me!
When's the last time you flicked on the television, opened a magazine or jumped on social media? Last night? A few minutes ago?
On occasion, you may get that sugar rush from an uplifting story or inspiring news item. But then there's the crash. Those comments, reports, pictures or videos that just leave you feeling a bit blah, uninspired and generally rubbish.
You might say something to yourself like, "my (insert personal thing here - house/kid/body/food etc) isn't like so I must be doing something wrong!"
Hold it right there. It's time you got your mind back into shape and went on a media diet.
As we all (should) know, quick-fix food-based diets are a waste of time - with the exception of allergies or intolerance, of course. It's no coincidence that DIE-t is spelled the way it is. But the beauty of a media diet is that you can adorn your life with what's real and what really matters to you.
Above: Is it time you went on the media diet and started to see the real world around you?
Have you ever caught yourself binging on unhealthy media, procrastinating on Facebook and filling up on news bulletins about every Twitter feud, sex scandal, neighbourhood spat, and celebrity baby bump?
Confession: I have.
Sure, some of it's important but generally speaking, this sort of reckless media consumption leaves no room for the healthy stuff that will really nourish and fulfil you.
What really matters to you?
What sort of things do you want to fill up on? Quality relationships, for example, should be the main course and not just a garnish or a side dish in your life.
It's important to understand that the media diet isn't about living a Pollyanna-esque existence, wearing rose-coloured glasses and thinking that everything is perfect.
Some really serious stuff goes down around the world and I want to know about it. Although, I care more about the rise and fall of the economy than I do about fluctuations in a celebrity's weight.
The truth is, I love the media and have been working in facets of it for years. It's a great source of inspiration, motivation and education but there's a difference between keeping informed about important things and keeping your confidence intact.
Without the media I'd have no idea what is happening around the globe. Living with your head in the sand is no way to survive, for anyone - although it would appear some politicians have made a lucrative career out of it.
The media can offer us so many wonderful opportunities to learn, grow and (especially in the case of social media) save time. But what if all that free time is just being spent scrolling through your news feed and listening to or reading yet another report that leaves you feeling insecure, deflated, unworthy or inadequate?
I think about 'bad' media like I think about dairy. I can stomach a little bit but too much just leaves me feeling yuck.
There are countless benefits to a life filled with what's real and what really matters to you but here are just some.
8 benefits of a media diet:
- Boost your self-esteem: Reduce the negative self-talk and regain confidence in exactly who you are in real life rather than what you do or don't look like through an Instagram filter.
- Reduce anxiety: Feeling chained to media can leave you unnecessarily stressed and even affect your sleep.
- Renew your faith in people: Not every stranger in the street is a nasty, hateful criminal (see next point).
- Reduce your tendency to stereotype: The media is full of narrow stereotypes about people and places. That part of town isn't just full of welfare cheats and people who look a certain way aren't 'all bad.'
- Restored self-worth: Remember that your value in society is not dictated by your physical appearance.
- Increase your IQ: More considered media consumption can have real benefits to your brain both now and in the future. More recent research is even suggesting that certain social media can make you smarter.
- Improve the quality of your social interactions: Suddenly you will have more real and interesting things to talk about with others. Real feelings and emotions can't be expressed with hashtags and emoticons.
- Remind you that you are enough, just as you are: It's great to have goals or aspirations and strive to be the best version of yourself. However, overconsumption of unhealthy media can leave you feeling like you need to change, be it your car/appearance/partner or whatever. You don't!
Just like a food-based diet the media diet is largely dependant on the individual. What really matters to you and the sort of media you consume might not be right for someone else.
Remember that you don't need special clothes, machines or ingredients - just the right mindset. Here's to a mentally healthier, happier and more confident you!
Love life,
Lisa