One day I saw my Grandmother sad and low. My grandmother was a cheerful, energetic lady. She was a powerhouse who positively influenced the energy of everyone at home. Seeing her sad was a rare occasion. I sat next to her and asked her, “What happened Grandma!! Why are you so dull?”

She said,” Nothing my child. These days I am not able to sleep properly. And, I am not feeling good the last few days, so I am not able to go for my morning walk alone at the nearby nature reserve. I miss birds, trees, lakes, etc.”

I said, “That is not an issue if you want tomorrow morning, I can take you to the nature reserve.”
She smiled lovingly at me and said, “That will be great. I will be ready in the morning at 5 AM.”

As a teenager, it was really tough for me to get up at 5 AM. I liked to work late in the night – after all early morning hours were for sleeping! But I did not want to disappoint my grandma, so I agreed.

That night I made sure that I had set alarms in two clocks and as a back-up, I made an arrangement with my sister, over a chocolate bribe, that she, by any means, will wake me up at 4:45 AM. My arrangement paid off and my sister was able to wake me up by pouring a glass of water on my sleepy head.

I took grandma to the nature reserve. I was fascinated to see that she suddenly forgot her age and illness and started walking around the trees, touching them with love. Many a time she would stop and start gazing birds, insects, and other small animals. She suddenly removed her slippers and started walking on the green grass. She signalled me to do the same. I followed her. We walked barefoot on the grass for 30 minutes. I observed grandma kept taking deep breaths throughout her walk. So, when we sat on a bench I asked, “Grandma, why were you taking so many deep breathes? Do you feel ok?”

Grandma laughed and said,” Yes I am completely ok. Don’t you know that you have to take as much oxygen as possible in the natural habitat? It keeps you fit and healthy”

I laughed at my silly question. I had studied Trees gave Oxygen etc. but had never put this knowledge to practical use consciously. In my mind, the Oxygen problem was for the sick and old. I never linked it to wellness and wellbeing.

My grandma said with a grim face, “There was a time when we used to have our fields and groves. We used to have trees and gardens in or next to our homes. But now this world around us has transformed itself into a busy, fast-paced, techno-savvy, convenient.”

She continued, “I am not an environmental specialist but as a humble dweller on this planet, I do realize the effect these basic demands have had on the natural habitat.

1. As I grew older, as a first-hand witness, I noticed how the Natural landscape had changed.
2. Flourishing parks replaced with thousands of apartments
3. Huge multi-tiered flyovers built over rivers, cutting mountains and hills
4. Farmlands sold to be developed into business parks
5. The course of rivers bent to make way for roads
6. Seashores pushed back to reclaim land and build more infrastructure
7. Hotels built on mountain slopes to cater to tourism
8. Air for breathing restricted as Buildings, Offices, Cars get air-conditioned
9. Air polluted by vehicles growing at an alarming rate
10. Forests levelled to source wood for development all around
11. The peace of the sky disturbed by aeroplanes
12. And many, many more… “

Grandma’s eyes became moist and her voice cracked. She sat silently for a few minutes, then we came back home. I noticed Grandma became her usual self and she slept soundly in the night. I watched her sleep like a baby who had just been put to sleep by her mother by rendering a lullaby. Next day onwards she slowly picked up her routine and was well again.

That day I learned why nature is called “mother nature” and how important our natural environment is for us. I kept thinking about what my grandma said with moist eyes and realised she was right.

The conveniences that are now a way of life, have eaten away slowly and surely into the natural diaspora in a way that it has not only put the balance of the environment at risk but also disturbed the natural rhythm of our body and mind. The body-mind harmony that has gone out of tune as mother nature’s lullaby is fast inaccessible to us daily.

Have you noticed how small flower pots in the little balcony of your apartment brings a smile to your face? The satisfaction you feel when you water them.

Just think – when a plant in a pot gives you this relaxation and brings a smile to your face, then think how you will feel when we go in nature where life is thriving and exchanging hands. In nature, like my grandma, you will stop your mind and will forget about your age, work and other thoughts that make you anxious. You will feel and observe the beauty and splendidness of nature. This will relax your mind and fill it with such a relaxation that you can (with a guarantee) sleep well at night.

So, what you need to do?

1. Fix a time for a daily walk in nature (early morning when the sun is just about to rise is recommended)
2. Walk at least 30 to 45 minutes (according to your health condition)
3. Walk barefoot on the grass (If it is safe for you)
4. Take a few deep breaths or perform any breathing exercises which you already know
5. Sit quietly in nature for 10 minutes and be an observer
6. Perform the above daily routine and you will find that you are more relaxed and this will improve your sleep patterns significantly.

As you connect with nature every day and breathe it in…Enjoy Sleep, Stay Healthy and Stress-Free!!