Did your doctor ever prescribe a “Nature Pill?” Dr. Melissa Lem has research that tells us how beneficial nature can be. How a walk in the woods can not only reduce stress but also improve eye sight and offer better mental health. I first heard her speak at the Nature Talks Series organized by Nature Conservancy Canada on the importance of maintaining and nourishing our connection with nature. Today, I am delighted to share her story and insights as part of our Spotlight series.
Enjoy,
Puneeta
Interview with Dr. Melissa Lem, Physician, Nature Advocate, Educator
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I’m a family doctor who has had the privilege to meet and work with Canadians in big and small towns across the country. I was born among the skyscrapers of Toronto and have lived by the ocean in Vancouver for four years now.
I love being a mom, being outdoors, and sharing what I’ve learned as a medical expert on television and in print.
I’m a board member of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, Director of Parks Prescriptions for the BC Parks Foundation, and a long-time advocate for the health benefits of connecting to nature.
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You write and speak extensively about nature and wellness. Your advice is science and research based, but there is a lot of contradictory information out there. How can we sift through the chaos?
Always consider the source. You can generally trust major bodies like Health Canada and national or provincial physician and health organizations to give you current, evidence-based information. Also, if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is; if someone is trying to sell you something directly linked to the health claims they’re making, be especially wary.
Your work with CAPE focuses on improving human health by protecting the planet. What are the three top things you recommend we adopt today to protect the planet?
My number-one recommendation is to make some noise. It’s easy to narrow your focus to individual change, but what we really need is change on a large scale. That means we need to push our politicians and policy-makers to take action on the climate. Writing letters, meeting with your MP and volunteering with or donating to organizations that are pushing for change are all great ways to get involved. That said, change at home, when multiplied by many households, can make a difference. Flying less and consuming less stuff overall are two major ways to reduce your own greenhouse gas emissions.
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Believe it or not, I have yet to run into a “nature skeptic”! I think this really speaks to how intuitive the health benefits of nature feel to us as humans. The closest I’ve gotten to a nature skeptic is someone who asks, “Why do we need a study to tell us that nature is good for us?” To this I would say that policy change is typically driven by evidence. So having good scientific evidence about the health benefits of nature is essential to push decision-makers to enact meaningful change.
I read your article in The Narwhal about the role mothers play as educators, activists and change-makers. How can we talk to our kids about the changing global climate?
Be honest and realistic but optimistic. Weave climate conversations into everyday activities like shopping for groceries or a walk in the park to emphasize the importance of the environment in all aspects of our lives. Keep in mind that our kids take cues from our own emotions. If you’re suffering from eco-anxiety, find a way to ground yourself before discussing climate change with your child. And when the causes and problems associated with climate change come up, always make time to highlight the solutions. Give your kids something tangible to do so they feel like they’re making a difference. A saying I’ve often heard in climate-health circles is “Action feels better than Anxiety,” and this applies to people of every age. Puneeta: For those of you interested, you can read The Narwhal article here.
Of late words like Sustainability, Environmental Impact, Carbon Footprint and Climate Change have been trending everywhere. Do you think we are moving the needle on these topics?
Yes. I absolutely think the needle is moving. It’s impossible to live in the world today without hearing about the effects of climate change, whether it is wildfires in Australia, heat waves in Europe or hurricanes battering the shores of North America. Polling during our most recent federal election indicated that the majority of Canadians believe they’ve personally felt the effects of climate change, and the majority also support government action on climate change. Again, what I want to underscore is that we need to focus on systemic over individual change; we need to mobilize and create political will to enact strong, effective climate policies.
When it comes to nature, what are you optimistic about?
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I am incredibly optimistic about the growing momentum and awareness about the nature-health connection. Nature prescriptions were named one of the top eight global wellness trends in 2019. Embracing nature-based solutions for climate change, which focus on strengthening and restoring our existing ecosystems, could get us more than a third of the way towards our greenhouse gas emission targets by 2030. And they will also preserve our natural heritage for future generations to enjoy. I’m currently working with the BC Parks Foundation on launching Canada’s first major nature prescription initiative later this year. Stay tuned for more on PaRx over the next few months! Puneeta: we will keep you posted!
Medical practitioner, educator, environmental activist - you wear many hats. What helps you strike a balance among all these roles?
Balance? What’s that? In all seriousness, I know that I’m incredibly lucky to be able to combine so many of my different interests—medicine, nature, environmental advocacy, media work—in what I do. Though in reality, a lot of my non-clinical work happens after my son’s bedtime. I grew up in an immigrant family where the values of working hard, saving money and avoiding waste were emphasized. As a physician, I also have a career that’s well compensated. This puts me in a position where I can reduce my clinical hours to dedicate time and effort to causes and pursuits that matter to me outside of the practice of medicine. That being said, I do love my day job.
We’ve just entered a new decade. Do you have any New Year’s resolutions?
My New Year’s resolutions somehow end up being the same every year: get more sleep, be more mindful when spending time with my family, and spend more time outside. And every year I’d like to think I get a little closer to my goals.
This interview has been lightly edited. All responses and opinions expressed in this interview belong to Dr. Melissa Lem. Pictures courtesy Dr. Melissa Lem.
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