This is the third post in our series about trauma-informed self care. Listen to the audio version of this episode here or find The Greater Us wherever you listen to your podcasts!
In today's fast-paced world, especially in leadership, we are constantly consuming information. Whether it's news, work updates, or even entertainment, what we take in has a profound effect on how we feel, think, and ultimately, how we lead. Being intentional about the material, media, and energy we allow into our lives is key to staying grounded and effective. This blog post explores the concept of “inputs” and how you can modulate and offset what you absorb to maintain a clear mind and steady presence in your work and personal life.
Modulating What You Absorb
The first step to managing your intake is modulation—consciously regulating what information you consume. This includes everything from the emails you check first thing in the morning to the podcasts you listen to while winding down at night. It's easy to overdo it, especially with constant access to social media, news feeds, and work notifications. But taking in too much, particularly heavy or negative material, can leave you feeling overwhelmed.
I realized the impact of this firsthand when I was doing emergency room crisis work. I found that my tolerance for dark, gritty media dropped drastically. While I used to enjoy intense entertainment, I began to opt for lighter, more uplifting content because the emotional load of my work was already high. This shift wasn’t just about avoiding discomfort—it was about protecting my mental state. By modulating what I engaged with during my downtime, I gave myself space to recharge.
Ask yourself: What are you consuming in your off time, and how is it affecting you? Are you allowing too much heaviness to fill your mind? It's worth considering whether your intake is helping or hindering your ability to stay centered throughout your day.
Offsetting Negative Inputs
Even when you’re intentional about what you take in, there will be times when negative or stressful material is unavoidable, especially in a leadership role. That’s where the concept of offsets comes in. Offsetting is about balancing out the challenging things you have to absorb with something lighter or more positive.
For me, a gratitude practice has been an essential offset. Taking time to acknowledge the positives in my life—even the small things—helps counterbalance the stress and negativity that can otherwise dominate my thoughts. Simple practices like spending time with pets, enjoying nature, or engaging with uplifting media can have a similar effect.
The world is full of challenges, but it’s also full of beauty and joy. By intentionally offsetting difficult material with activities or media that bring lightness, you can maintain a healthier mental and emotional balance.
Be Intentional with Your Consumption
One of the best ways to manage intake is by limiting what comes into your consciousness in the first place. This doesn’t mean being oblivious to the world—it’s about being selective and strategic. Rather than bingeing news cycles or endlessly scrolling social media, can you choose specific times to engage with these channels? Can you create boundaries for when and how you interact with the more stressful aspects of your work or personal life?
For example, I've found it helpful to reduce how often I engage with certain platforms and even set limits on the types of media I consume. Instead of diving into the news every night, I might graze headlines in the morning or choose more positive sources of information. The point isn’t to ignore what’s happening in the world but to control how and when it enters your mental space.
Recognizing Your Limits
As leaders, it’s important to know when you’ve reached your saturation point. Taking in too much, even unintentionally, can lead to emotional overload. I like to think of it as “grinding the gears”—a feeling in my chest when I’ve absorbed too much negativity or stress, and my body is telling me to stop.
Recognizing these signals is critical. How do you feel after consuming a lot of information, especially the difficult kind? What are your personal indicators that it’s time to take a break? The better you can recognize these cues, the more effectively you can maintain focus and clarity in your leadership role.
The Power of Intentional Intake
At the end of the day, what we take in shapes our mindset, our outlook, and our ability to lead with clarity. By being intentional about the information we absorb and offsetting the difficult material with positive inputs, we create a healthier mental and emotional environment for ourselves. This allows us to engage with the world in a way that is thoughtful, sustainable, and effective.
So, what are you feeding your mind? Are there ways you can modulate your intake or introduce offsets to balance the heaviness of stressful stimuli? It’s worth taking the time to reflect on your current habits and make small changes that can have a big impact on how you show up in your life and work. I hope you’ll consider incorporating a reset space into your own routine.
In the next post, we’ll dive into the power of outward action and how it can serve as another important form of balance in the face of challenging material. Until then, take a moment to consider: What are you taking in, and how is it shaping how you are able to show up in your work and life?
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