Emotional Weight Matters: Take GRID's Mindful Monday Challenge

Published June 15th 2026

Mindful Monday: The Emotional Weight of What We Consume

So, it's the Monday after the NBA Finals, Yankees baseball, and FIFA World Cup matches captivated much of the Northeast; and indeed much of the world. Regardless of where you reside, millions of people spent the weekend consumed by one or more of these sporting events. Late nights, endless conversations, excitement for some, disappointment and tears for others all unfolding while many communities around the globe continue to face uncertainty, conflict, economic challenges, and personal struggles.  

There is nothing inherently wrong with enjoying sports, entertainment, or communal experiences. In fact, they can provide connection, joy, and a temporary escape from life's pressures. However, they also offer an opportunity to pause and reflect on a deeper question: What are we consuming emotionally, mentally, and spiritually? Many people recognize physical exhaustion after a busy weekend, but fewer acknowledge the emotional fatigue that can quietly accumulate through constant stimulation, information overload, and unprocessed feelings.  

Let's do a self-reflection exercise together. Consider how you feel after the following drain sucking activities: 

(1) Doom-scrolling for hours 

(2) Watching constant negative news 

(3) Engaging in draining conversations

(4) Comparing yourself to others online 

(5) Ignoring your emotional needs or,

(6) Remaining in emotionally toxic environments

(7) Holding on to guilt

(8) Making excuses for mediocrity

Now compare that to how you feel after:  

(1) Beginning your day with prayers

(2) Spending time in nature

(3) Journaling your thoughts 

(4) Listening to calming music

(5) Reading something inspiring 

(6) Connecting with supportive people

(7) Practicing gratitude or,

(8) Taking intentional quiet time to focus, ponder about your goals.  

Analysis for Thought

How do you feel after the self-reflection? Are you engaging in more of the drain sucking activities than the mindful serenity activities? If you feel a difference, then you are on track. The difference is not accidental. Just as our bodies respond to the food we consume, our minds and emotions respond to the information, relationships, and environments we allow into our lives. Every conversation, social media feed, news report, and thought pattern becomes part of our emotional diet.

Here's your Mindful Monday Challenge

Final Thoughts

References

American Psychological Association. (2023). Stress effects on the body. https://www.apa.org/topics/stress/body

Bratman, G. N., Hamilton, J. P., Hahn, K. S., Daily, G. C., & Gross, J. J. (2015). Nature experience reduces rumination and subgenual prefrontal cortex activation. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 112(28), 8567–8572. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1510459112

Fredrickson, B. L. (2013). Positive emotions broaden and build. In P. Devine & A. Plant (Eds.), Advances in Experimental Social Psychology (Vol. 47, pp. 1–53). Academic Press.

Kross, E., Verduyn, P., Demiralp, E., et al. (2013). Facebook use predicts declines in subjective well-being in young adults. PLOS ONE, 8(8), e69841. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0069841

National Institute of Mental Health. (2024). Caring for your mental health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/caring-for-your-mental-health

Wood, A. M., Froh, J. J., & Geraghty, A. W. A. (2010). Gratitude and well-being: A review and theoretical integration. Clinical Psychology Review, 30(7), 890–905. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2010.03.005

World Health Organization. (2022). Mental health: Strengthening our response. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-strengthening-our-response