Arnold Schwarzenegger Promotes ‘Crash Diet’ Plan with Focus on Mental Health

Reducing mental stress and focusing on controllable actions can improve decision-making in high-pressure environments, according to Hollywood actor and former Calif Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Exmark – Done-In-A-Weekend – Gardening for Mental Health_1920x1080.jpg

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RFD NEWS) — Hollywood actor and former California governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, is urging Americans to reset their mental habits in 2026 with what he calls a short-term “crash diet” for the brain, according to reporting by the New York Post. Schwarzenegger asserts that rising negativity is not just draining morale but actively harming long-term health.

Schwarzenegger’s approach centers on a one-week “Zero Negativity Diet” designed to limit pessimism, outrage, and constant exposure to bad news. He argues that chronic negativity fuels stress and poor decision-making, while optimism has been linked in multiple studies to longer life expectancy and better overall health outcomes.

A key step is to sharply reduce social media use. Schwarzenegger recommends limiting scrolling to three 10-minute blocks per day and stopping completely outside those windows. He says the goal is to reclaim attention and reduce emotional overload.

Another focus is reframing problems into action plans. Instead of dwelling on frustration, he encourages people to write down specific next steps, shifting from passive anger to active problem-solving.

The message is simple: short-term discipline may deliver long-term mental and physical benefits.

Farm-Level Takeaway: Reducing mental stress and focusing on controllable actions can improve decision-making in high-pressure environments.
Tony St. James, RFD News Markets Specialist
Related Stories
For aging operators and their rural neighbors, staying socially engaged is a practical strategy to preserve decision-making capacity and farm vitality.
R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard joins Market Day Report for his insight on the USDA’s plan to strengthen the U.S. beef industry.
Set targets and use forwards, futures, or options to manage downside while preserving room for rallies.
RFD-TV Markets Expert Tony St. James breaks down the USDA’s newly unveiled plan to rebuild the US beef herd and the industry’s spectrum of responses to it.
Farm CPA Paul Neiffer discusses the status of USDA disaster aid, including delays to Stage 2 of the SDRP program, and what farmers should watch for as lawmakers negotiate an end to the government shutdown.
Sen. Roger Marshall explains which types of beef are imported into the United States, how there’s room for new imports, and logical reasons for current high prices.
U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) discusses the USDA’s new cattle plan, ethanol policy, and the broader challenges ahead for rural America.
Bioethanol continues to gain ground as the bridge fuel connecting agriculture, aviation, and maritime industries in the global shift toward lower-carbon energy.
Elizabeth Strom with the American Society of Farm Managers & Rural Appraisers (ASFMRA) joined us to share the latest on harvest progress and market activity in her area.

Tony St. James joined the RFD-TV talent team in August 2024, bringing a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective to RFD-TV and Rural Radio Channel 147 Sirius XM. In addition to his role as Market Specialist (collaborating with Scott “The Cow Guy” Shellady to provide radio and TV audiences with the latest updates on ag commodity markets), he hosts “Rural America Live” and serves as talent for trade shows.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Row crop losses in 2025 are outpacing last year. With no disaster aid yet approved, many operations face a tough financial bridge to 2026 even as Farm Bill improvements remain a year away.
Experts say farmers and ethanol producers would benefit from a risk-based ILUC system that protects forests without relying on speculative modeling.
Farmland values remain stable, but weakened credit conditions and lower expected farm income signal tighter financial margins heading into 2026.
Ethanol exports are expanding on strong demand from Canada and Europe, while DDGS shipments remain broad-based and supportive for feed markets.
Mary-Thomas Hart, with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, discusses the latest WOTUS developments and their implications for agriculture.
Only properly documented, unexhausted fertilizer applied by prior owners may qualify for Section 180 expensing; broader nutrient-based claims carry significant legal and tax risk.
Rural Lifestyle & Entertainment Shows
Enjoy traditional country music from modern-day troubadours The Malpass Brothers. Each episode stars the brother duo of Chris & Taylor Malpass along with a featured celebrity guest– and loads of clever humor.
Brought to you by Gus Arrendale & Springer Mountain Farms, join dynamic bluegrass duo Dailey & Vincent as they welcome scores of fabulous bluegrass, country, and gospel music acts as special guests. Loads of laughs, your favorite guests galore, and lots of good times are guaranteed. Don’t miss all the fun!
This hour-long show explores the trains and locomotives that aided the growth of travel, further settlement, and the development of a variety of American industries and agricultural ventures.
FarmHER + RanchHER on RFD-TV is working to change how people perceive a farmer by sharing the stories of the women who live and lead in agriculture.
Join popular polka performer Mollie Busta as she hosts the weekly “Mollie B Polka Party” on RFD-TV! The one-hour program features the nation’s top polka bands and a wide variety of ethnic styles produced on location at music festivals from around the country.