Mariel Hemingway knows crazy.
Her family has famously battled depression, addiction and mental illness for decades, and the casualties include suicides by her legendary grandfather, Ernest, and supermodel sister, Margaux.
She was determined to better understand her sad family history and protect her two adult daughters from repeating mistakes of the past. An Oprah Winfrey-produced documentary about the Hemingway family, “Running From Crazy,” is expected to hit theaters soon.
Hemingway learned that honest introspection and healthy lifestyle choices diminished her own mental demons, including depression. Because Hemingway is eager to help others, she co-wrote “Running With Nature: Stepping Into the Life You’re Meant to Live” (Changing Lives Press, 2013), which highlights 10 easy steps to achieve a healthy lifestyle. She’s also launching an app that makes a game out of those steps.
Recently in town for a Designs 4 Dignity (D4D) fundraiser, Hemingway toured one of D4D’s projects, the Marchuk Family Pavilion of Midwest Palliative Care. With warmth and refreshing candor, she discussed her favorite aspects of an “unplugged” lifestyle with Make It Better’s Co-Founder, Mindy Fauntleroy.
Unfortunately, we’ve had a spate of teen suicides in this area. Any advice?
Talk about it! Unfortunately, as a culture we still don’t do [enough of] that because of a perceived stigma. I believe that our teens will be the ones to eventually fully open the door for this dialogue.
Thank you for your part, too, by sharing your story through the documentary.
That’s exactly why we made this. When I talk about it, others always come up and share their story. I’m touched and surprised by how hard others have had it.
And your other recommendations?
They’re easy! And they are in the book: get into nature, treat your food as though it is medicine for your body, live more simply, exercise more, try new activities, live sustainably. For example, we barter the eggs laid by the [free range] chickens in our back yard. This country was built on family farms. People long to get back together as families that way now.
What about technology?
Turn it off. Take technology-free days. We turn off the Internet box every night, and I know that I sleep better, get more rest, because of it.
You look fabulous. This lifestyle seems to suit you.
When you start to step into the life you were meant to live, it’s wonderful!
