In today’s fast-moving world, mental wellbeing often gets overlooked. We live in a culture where being constantly busy is seen as success. The pressure to achieve more, do more, and stay ahead often comes at the cost of peace, emotional balance, and human connection. While the modern lifestyle seems exciting, it has left many feeling anxious, lonely, and disconnected — not just from others, but from themselves.
But this wasn’t always the case.
Before urban life and digital screens took over, people lived closely with nature. In India and many indigenous communities around the world, life flowed with the rhythms of the earth. People lived alongside trees, animals, rivers, and the seasons — not in dominance, but in harmony. I remember growing up in the 90s — there was no sense of human superiority over nature. Everything coexisted.
Connection with Nature Was a Connection with Self
People once lived in tune with the sun and moon. They ate seasonal food, walked barefoot on the ground, and sat under trees just to be still. These simple practices brought clarity, emotional calm, and mental peace.
Ancient knowledge systems, like Ayurveda and tribal traditions, understood the healing power of forests and herbs — not only for physical health but for mental balance too. Even today, science agrees: being in nature reduces stress, uplifts the mood, and helps us feel better inside.
Living as a Community, Not Alone
Traditional societies valued relationships over competition. People supported each other in both celebration and sorrow. Elders passed down wisdom. Children learned by watching nature. Life had rituals, pauses, and shared spaces for emotions to be seen and heard. There was no pressure to fix emotions — they were simply allowed to exist.
In today’s world, we are constantly “connected” through devices, yet many feel more emotionally disconnected than ever. The loss of community has left many people facing mental struggles alone.
What Can We Learn Today from the Past?
We don’t need to reject modern life — but we do need to remember what we’ve lost and bring some of it back:
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Spend time in nature: Walk under the trees, sit by a window, listen to birds. Just a few quiet minutes daily can help us reconnect with ourselves.
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Follow natural rhythms: Eat simple, fresh food. Sleep in tune with your body. Don’t rush everything. Let life flow gently.
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Make time for silence and stillness: Practices like meditation, prayer, or just breathing mindfully are not only self-care — they also support healing and spiritual growth.
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Rebuild community: Share meals, talk with people, express your feelings. Create spaces where people feel safe, seen, and not judged.
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Respect all life: Treat animals, plants, and the earth with care. This deepens empathy and grounds us in what really matters.
A Gentle Reminder of Who We Were
Mental wellbeing is not a new concept. It was always part of how we lived — close to nature, connected to others, and in harmony with our own selves. As the world grows more digital and fast-paced, let us remember what we had just three decades ago.
This piece is a gentle reminder of our roots — of the peaceful, grounded way we once lived. If we become more aware, we can slowly return to a more balanced, compassionate, and eco-centered way of living — for ourselves, each other, and the planet.
Let’s heal together.
Aparna
(Image courtsey- Botany Fest- Dang, Gujarat)