On my journey with sustainability, I’ve had the opportunity to chat with some amazing people. In this episode, I chat with Emma Loewe.
Emma is an editor and MindBodyGreen.com and the author of her latest book Returning to Nature. Here she shares different ways to live an environmentally conscious lifestyle and how to make money sustainably as a writer.
Give the audience a little more context about who you are?
I am an editor at MindBodyGreen, which is a health and wellness publication. I focus specifically on content that’s geared towards sustainability and sort of finding the crossover between how to live a sustainable lifestyle and also how to live a healthy life.
In the course of editing, I’ve come to realize that the two are so intricately connected. Finding ways to live a bit healthier for yourself, also tend to have a lower impact on the planet at large.
That crossover was the inspiration for my latest book, which is called Return to Nature. This book shows the different ways that we can get out in the outdoors and then pay that forward to Earth.
What’s one way that we can take care of ourselves better?
I think one thing that I realized in the process of writing my new book is that it can be as simple as just as just getting outside. Additionally, taking a walk or just sitting outdoors in sort of a quiet space where you do have access to natural elements — be it a tree or grass.
This can be a really great way to relieve stress, to prevent things like burnout.
Are there any statistics that you want to throw out there about nature that most people don’t know?
Research shows that the amount of green that surrounds people’s homes lines up with positive health outcomes. For example, heart disease and mortality generally tend to go down the more green space you’re surrounded by.
Unfortunately, a lot of people do not have access to nature. I believe that there’s a case to be made that access to nature is a real investment in public health and more people should have access to it.
What resources do you recommend to learn more about nature?
A few of my favorites are the Nature Effects by Florence Williams and Lost Child in the Woods by Richard Lewis.
Lost Child is geared more towards the health benefits of getting outside for children in particular. I think that it’s important right now to step outside especially since COVID is keeping so many of us inside. This even includes younger kids who really need access to nature to help them develop and thrive.
Do you have any recommendations for those who love to write but don’t know how to break into this space?
The best way to become a writer is to write and to write often. Take the time in exploring writing as a career or for personal fulfillment. I think that writing something every day, even on the days when you really do not feel like will be helpful.
Another tip is to take a few moments to write by hand on paper. I find that writing by hand changes the way that you think about your words, and it can draw different ideas out of you. Writing outside and bringing your journal to new places in nature can also inspire new ideas.
Is there any type of food or tips you have that readers can apply today to start living a healthier lifestyle?
Food that is healthy for us tends to also be healthy for the planet. Start by exploring your local farmer’s markets. Additionally, read up on what’s in season around your area.
This is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint with your diet and get access to fresh nutritious food. By eating healthier you’ll also meet incredible people who are passionate about what they do.
What are some stumbling blocks that you’ve hit and how did you overcome them?
I think living sustainably is always a work in progress. No one no one’s perfect. I’m like you, I love junk food–gummy bears are my favorite snack.
However, you can still eat junk food in moderation. There are days when I don’t feel like going outside or something keeps me indoors. Writing my book was a real blessing because during the process I had another nudge to step outside daily.
Remembering the different ways that going outside can help restore has been helpful for me to not stay cooped up inside my small New York City apartment.
I hope you enjoyed my talk with Emma and that you took away some value. If you want to listen to the entire interview, click play below or head over to your favorite platform (Apple, Spotify, or Google.)
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