Green Heart Living: Practical Ways to Create Harmony Between Your Life and the Planet

Think of a Green Heart as your inner compass for living lighter on the Earth and feeling better while doing it. It’s about choosing with care, living with purpose, and recognizing that your health and the planet’s health is deeply connected.

Coined by wellness and sustainability advocate Gay Browne, a Green Heart beats with love for clean air, non-toxic homes, nourishing food, and conscious choices. It doesn’t mean you have to be perfect. It just means you’re paying attention and acting with intention, one greenheart action at a time! No guilt, no judgement, a step in the right direction is always the right step!

In Gay Browne’s words, it’s about “creating harmony between your inner and outer environments,” one intentional choice at a time.

September 27 to October 4, 2025, be part of Women in Sustainability Week at Rancho La Puerta, where Gay Browne and a circle of visionary climate leaders will inspire you to turn everyday choices into meaningful change for your health, your home, and the planet.

Here are ten ways to embrace your Green Heart and take action today based on her best-selling book “Living With a Green Heart.”

10 Ways to Embrace Your Green Heart and Take Action Today

1. In Your Bedroom:
   Breathe easy where you rest.
   Swap synthetic bedding for organic cotton or bamboo sheets. Use an air purifier or houseplants like lily plants to improve indoor air quality while you sleep.
2. In Your Kitchen:
   Eat clean and live clean.
   Choose organic produce, when possible, filter your tap water, skip the plastics and choose wooden spoons and glass storage containers. Your body (and the ocean) will thank you. Check with the Environmental Work Group for their recommendations.
3. In Your Bathroom:
   Rinse off the toxins.
   Switch to non-toxic, biodegradable soaps, shampoos, and cleaners. Bonus: your skin absorbs fewer harmful chemicals, and your greywater runs cleaner.
4. In Your Closet:
   Dress with intention.
   Embrace slow fashion. Shop secondhand or support eco-conscious brands using sustainable fabrics. Quality over quantity is the new chic.
5. In Your Laundry Room:
   Detox your washday.
   Use plant-based detergents, wool dryer balls, and skip synthetic fragrance. Cleaner clothes, healthier lungs, and less pollution down the drain.
6. In Your Transportation:
   Commute with care.
   Walk, bike, or take public transit when you can. Even combining errands into one trip reduces your footprint—and your stress.
7. At Work:
   Make your workspace work for the Earth.
   Bring a reusable water bottle and lunch container. Choose digital over print when possible. A green desk can lead to a clearer mind.
8. At Bedtime:
   Shut it down.
   Make sure you shut off your devices two hours before you go to bed, if not earlier.  Reading before bed is a great way to unwind.
9. In Your Cleaning Routine:
   Ditch the harsh stuff.
   DIY cleaners using vinegar, baking soda, and essential oils are effective, non-toxic, and budget-friendly. Your home will sparkle without the sneezes.
10. In Your Mindset:
    Let your values guide you.
    Living with a Green Heart means slowing down and aligning your choices with your beliefs. Awareness is the first step toward action.
11. In Your Community:
    Be a ripple of change.
    Support local farmers markets, join a cleanup day, or simply share your eco-wins with others. A Green Heart grows stronger in community.

Join Gay Browne and other visionary women leaders in climate justice the week of September 27 to October 4 as we explore how small, intentional changes can create a healthier life and a healthier planet.

You can learn more about local, healthy living at greenopia.