Tackling the Monsoon Mayhem

 July brings monsoon to a large part of India and heavy rains in many parts of the world. While a welcome break from extreme heat and heatwaves, monsoon brings its own kind of mayhem. 

And considering India is a water-stressed country that has overdrawn its groundwater as well as having large parts of the country in drought and drought-like conditions saving water is always a priority. This is the situation in most regions of the world. Even in flood-prone weather communities and governments need to remember to 'Catch the Rain'.

Catch the Rain Pledge of Government of India 

The Government of India during the period of March 22 to November 30 has called for efforts to enhance rainwater harvesting and 'Catch the Rain'. The Jal Shakti Abhiyan's Catch the Rain (JSA:CTR) campaign calls for 

• Water Conservation at the household level
• Rainwater Harvesting from the household and community levels all the way to the state and national levels
• Mapping and Geo-tagging Existing Water Bodies Across the Nation
• Reviving and Restoring water bodies and wetlands
• Afforestation (Especially in watershed regions)
• Water Security and Conservation Education
• Jal Shakti Kendras - district level centers for water management information

EcoBloc & Rainwater Harvesting

The above The Better India reel shows the "smart drain" EcoBloc made using recycled plastic that harvests storm water. A solution by Chennai's R.R. Sivaram implemented in thousands of locations across Tamil Nadu and India harvesting millions of liters of rainwater from surface runoff.  - a win-win for SDG 12 and SDG 6 - responsible consumption and production of plastics and water - ensuring clean water and sanitation in drier non-monsoon periods. 

Sponge City Model

The Sponge City model of flood mitigation and rain and storm water harvesting is mentioned in the last post of May 2026 (28 May 2026), "Ecomodernism in the lead up to Environment Day."

Sponge cities are prime example of nature-based solution. Tested by Chinese Landscape Architect Kongjian Yu (who passed  away in September 2025) in 30 cities in China with plans for over 500 more. It includes harnessing

• porous pavements, 
• green rooftops, 
• rain gardens
•  wetlands 

to manage water, support biodiversity and improve air quality.

Reviving Water bodies and Wetlands

A major reason for both Heat Island Effect and increased instances of floods in urban areas is the encroachment and mismanagement of water bodies and wetlands. Thus whether in Summer or in Monsoon weather-proofing requires healthy wetlands and water bodies. The bonus of healthy water bodies and wetlands is the boost to biodiversity - a boost to Life Below Water (SDG 14) and Life on Land (SDG 15). 

Enhancing Watershed Areas

Water security is holistic and involves securing water resources, forests, wetlands, soil and biodiversity from overexploitation. Watershed management is vital to water security. Especially ensuring natural resources in rain-fed and rain-collecting areas that replenish both surface and ground freshwater resources is vital to ensure human security and sustainable development - especially SDG 6 and SDGs 13, 14 & 15. 

A Climate Resilient & Water Secure Future 

While being inundated by news of floods, landslides and infrastructure destroyed by heavy rains, cloudbursts and thunderstorms one is always reminded of the power and fury of nature and the man-made disasters we create by destroying natural protection against such monsoon mayhem. 

Revived and restored floodplains, wetlands that function fully as the sponges to storm water that they are and, forests and grasslands that anchor soil and prevent landslides are vital to survive the monsoon. Most especially in the watershed regions but also in urban areas where man-made flooding has become the norm rather than the exception from Millennium City (Gurugram) to Maximum City (Mumbai) to our Software and Startup Hub (Bengaluru). 

Reviving Shola grasslands in Nilgiris and the Western Ghats, protecting and restoring rainforests and forests in hill and mountain regions as well as checking unsustainable urbanization in sensitive ecosystems by fostering Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11) instead would ensure a climate resilient and water secure future for us all.

Big Apple First

The news of a planned Urban Forest in New York is a step in the right direction. In a city with such a high real estate value per square feet the declaration to prioritize greening to make the Big Apple climate resilient is a signal to the rest of the world. If New York and its NYC Urban Forest Plan can afford t make space for 30% tree canopy by 2040 then any other urban center can do it too. 

In the midst of news about the heatwaves in Europe I read about what a privilege it is to be able to see three trees out of your home, school and workplace. A globally recognized pillar of urban planning and healthy living: the 3-30-300 rule put forth by forestry expert Cecil Konijinendjik. The core of which includes

• 3 trees in view 
• 30% Canopy Cover 
• 300 meters to a Park 

This metric is failed by most global urban centers according to a Nature journal research. 

I realize how privileged my life is that my part of the world checks off this 3-30-300 metric.  Perhaps if more places met this criteria there would be less news of monsoon mayhem, wildfires or heatwaves. 

Some Solutions for Simmering Cities: SDG 13

 In the news: an Extreme Heat event at London Climate Action Week (June 20-28, 2026) was cancelled due to Extreme Heat! If that isn't a scream for Climate Action (SDG 13) from our fast warming planet due to our actions I don't know what is!

First World Problems Lead to Action

Europe and North America's infrastructure is geared towards surviving winters rather than facing extreme heat and heatwaves in summer. As our climate crisis was in large part a legacy of the Industrial Revolution and industrialization originating in the First World (read: UK, Europe and USA and Canada,... Japan not so much!), climate action there and a policy shift towards a circular economy model will boost sustainable development and climate adaptation like nothing else.  

Just as urban centers are perceived as the loci of effective climate action and climate policy locally and nationally, globally the First World - the Developed Countries are seen as climate action and more importantly climate finance hubs.

The series of extreme weather events that are not the norm -- Extreme Heat in UK and Europe (midsummer 2026), heavy rains and landslides in Switzerland in 2024, and hailstorm and flash flooding on an Idaho summer day in the United States (June 2026) -- could demonstrate the urgency related to the climate crisis right at their doorstep and prompt climate mitigation, climate adaptation and climate finance. 

European Climate Action

In the short term creation of public cool hubs, crocheted shades like the one's done by Spanish grandmas - senior knitters in the heatwaves of 2024 are temporary fixes to the extreme heat crisis.

Talking long term, Spain's transition to solar energy with massive investment on revamping its grid to accommodate electricity generated from renewable sources is a huge win for climate action. Barcelona's affordable and climate smart housing is a great example of Climate Action and Just Transition. Spain is a bit of a poster child of climate action and just transition as it has long been facing extreme weather events (forest fires, flooding, heat waves) and economic crises which it has through recent policy sought to tackle together -  sustainable development and just transition - climate justice for all!

Germany and the UK demolishing and retiring their coal-fire/thermal power plants also massively cut their carbon footprint. The growing contribution of renewable energy in American, British and European is both about energy security (while war rages in regions producing and in shipping routes of fossil fuels) as well as climate action through putting climate policy into practice.

Germany's super efficient waste recycling system (Gruener Punkt system since 1990) is another great example of the circular economy and success stories of both Responsible Production and Consumption (SDG 12) and SDG 13.

How India Beats the Heat

Tamil Nadu's Cool Roof Initiative promoted by UNEP award-winning TN Environment Secretary Supriya Sahu as well as a growing chain of climate-proof rest hubs for gig workers across India as well as insurance for income lost due to extreme weather are some concrete actions to tackle extreme heat across India.

The cool roof initiatives - painting the roofs with reflective weather-sheild white coating cools the temperure up to 5 degrees and is getting popular in lower income urban islands across India. It's a Just Transition win.

Reclamation and restoration of water bodies across India and Miyawaki Forest planting across urban India also counters the Urban Heat Island effect.  But there initiatives are few and far between. 

Heat Action Plans and Heat Emergency Rooms in place also tackles emergency situations that arise across Indian Summers both in northern dry heat hubs and southern hot and humid regions. 

The Climate Crisis Discriminates 

Climate Action Now

Climate Justice & Just Transition 

On 1 June 2026 Global Parents Day (though India & US celebrate Parents Day on 26th July - 26-7-26) was observed. As the climate crisis triggers extreme weather it puts older parents at risk and young people are actvely rethinking actually becoming parents.  

Thus climate action like curbing individual, family, community and national carbon and ecological footprints is a great step forward. 

As mentioned many times on this blog since January 2019, you can calculate your carbon footprint and work out how to adopt an ecofriendly lifestyle with Only Planet. 

A sustainable mode of transport is a great place to start and the fact that World Bicycle Day was observed on 3 June 2026 with the theme: “Cycling for a Greener Future” is another obvious hint from the universe to adopt a sustainable way of life. 

In a bit of good news the fact that Earth Overshoot Day is nearly a week later in 2026 than in 2025 is an indicator of a small step to responsibly use the planet's resources. Its on 30 July 2026 where last year we began living on borrowed resources on 26 July 2025 itself.

 

Of Ecosystems and Solstice

 As mentioned in previous June posts in this blog, this month is about celebrating ecosystems and the solstice. 

June 21st is the Solstice - Summer Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere with the longest day and Winter Solstice in the Southern Hemisphere with the shortest day. More recently June 21st has also been observed as International Day of Yoga. The sun salutation or Surya Namaskar being central to yogic practices thus apt to coincide with the Solstice.

Source: "Solstice Sun Salutations," 21 June 2026, Meraki by Me, Raakhee

Combating Desertification and Drought

Meanwhile June 17th is observed as the International Day to Combat Desertification and Drought with the 2026 theme being "Rangelands: Recognize, Respect, Restore" which dovetails well with the Food and Agriculture Organization's (FAO) declaration of 2026 as the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists. 

The Icelandic practice of Rettir - the annual sheep roundup is especially vital to the nation's horses, horse-riding traditions as well as the delicate ecosystems of that Land of Fire and Ice. The sheep and the horses in the pastures help maintain the highlands in spring as well as the flocks and herds health through the year. This traditional cherishing of the wild spirit - the roaming - of the horses and flocks feels especially right in 2026, the Year of the Fire Horse.

In the context of reversing desertification and grasslands and pastures, it becomes vital to talk of the solarization and use of solar sheep to fight the creeping desert in Talatan in  China's Qinghai Province. As this Facebook reel puts it, the construction of the Talatan Solar Park -the size of Singapore at the edge of the desert has helped create a microclimate that sustains green cover - so much so sheep needed to be brought in to control the grass and weeds (Solar Sheep!) thus generating power, pasture and profits in the region.

Rangelands such as the Rakhals in the Salt Desert, Kutch district of Gujarat in India and the Gujjars and Bakkerwals - nomadic  pastoralists of Jammu and Kashmir provide vital oases and ecosystem services respectively. 

SDGs at Play 

Healthy ecosystems and practices and people who consolidate them automatically boost the sustainable development goals (SDGs) as a whole as well as directly and indirectly.

The ecosystem services of nomadic pastoralists such as the Gujjars and Bakkerwals in Jammu helo with watershed management (SDG 6 - Clean Water and Sanitation) as much as SDG 15 - Life on Land.

The sensitive Rakhal rangelands and traditional knowledge that maintains them is vital in the harsh environs of the Salt Desert which is nevertheless home to a vast interdependent biodiversity thus healthy rakhals boosts SDG 15. 

The introduction of the Solar Park at the edge of the desert in China ensured SDG 7 - Access to Affordable and Clean Energy as well as combating Drought and Desertification thus boosting SDG 15 as well as tackling the region's health and nutrition requirements (SDG 2 - Zero Hunger, SDG 3 - Good Health and Wellbeing).

Rainforests

The theme for Rainforests Day 2026, observed annually on June 22nd, the day after the June Solstice, is "The Forest Within You." Rainforests in addition to being the lungs of the planet and massive carbon sinks are also vital biodiversity and traditional medicine hotspots. They are also the source of our water security as many mighty rivers emerge from the rainforests that sustain life and livelihoods. Nothing heals like forests and forest products and this is exponentially more relevant with regard to rainforests. 

In 2026, the search engine Ecosia reached and exceeded its goal of planting 250 million trees through its searches. Most of this was done through empowering local communities and restoring forests, watersheds and reviving biodiversity not just increasing green cover.

Rainforests also protect and support many indigenous and tribal communities  that are imperiled by modern way of life.  Thus it is heartening to hear news of the Amazon healing (RE-green - Earthshot Prize 2026 - Restore Earth) and Southeast Asian conservationists and environmental activists such as Theonila Roka Matbob in 2026, who halt its encroachment, like in Papua New Ginea's rainforests by the devastation of Rio Tinto the mining company, being honored with the Green Nobel - Goldman Environmental Prize 2026  as well as Whitley Award for Indonesia's Leuser Rainforest. 

The $10 million XPrize for Rainforests is more tech focused but also focused on monitoring rainforests and enable local indigenous communities' stewardship of them, e.g., Limelight Rainforest. 

Thus the restoration of ecosystems is helping slowly and locally and globally improving people, planet and prosperity - slowly but surely. 

Saving Oceans and Ocean Life: For Climate, For Our Future

While May's observations were about biodiversity, June is about the ecosystems that support them and the processes and species that are indicative of ecosystem health. The  environment, the ocean, prevention of desertification through rangeland management, the summer solstice as well as rainforests day. Protecting and restoring ecosystems is vital to enable climate action (SDG 13) and thus ensure a future for ourselves.

 June 8th is observed annually as World  Oceans Day. In 2026 it has a three themes, the United Nations' evocative theme was:

REIMAGINE: Beyond the world we know, a new relationship with our ocean.

 

The World Ocean Day network that supports "a multi-year initiative to drive collective action for ocean health and climate stability, supporting the global '30x30' goal to protect at least 30% of oceans by 2030"  has amore action oriented Oceans Day 2026 theme: 

“Strong Marine Protected Areas for Our Blue Planet” 

 “Catalyzing Action for Our Ocean & Climate”

Source: Meraki By Me, Raakhee, 16 April 2026.

Orca Awareness Month and Sea Turtle Day

June is observed as Orca Awareness Month and June 16th is Sea Turtle Day, both species at the top of their respective food chains are indicators of Ocean Health.

The apex predator - the Orca or Killer Whale the largest of the dolphin family as an alpha in many ways is rightly celebrated through the month of June. 

Meanwhile the sea turtle is no slouch as efforts to restore its population have improved ocean connected lives and livelihoods in coastal areas especially in Tamil Nadu this year. Also, it was originally a video of a pulling out a plastic straw from the bloody nostril of a sea turtle that exponentially improved legislations and efforts to clean up beaches, oceans as well as ban the use of single use plastic including the young people initiated No Straw November movement from California. 

Marine Plastic Pollution & OBP Menace

Be it the massive Ocean Cleanup  organized by Boyan Slat since 2013 after encountering the Great Pacific Garbage Patch or our local heroes working to restore the ocean and coastal ecosystems (river estuaries and mangroves) by cleaning it up and removing the plastic pollution from it and preventing city plastic reaching the oceans through urban waterways (ocean bound plastic), each are Ocean heroes and their efforts build sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11) while also improving the lives of local coastal communities ( SDG 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth). In a way they are humans churning the ocean through cleanup (EFI & Its Weekend Beach Cleanup OhShun Trash; Afroz Shah cleaning up Mumbai's mangroves and tourist beaches, Bapi Gochhayat of Odisha, or Taiwan's Ryan Wang of Rhinoglass and many many more)  to reveal its secrets and treasures to sustain us humans in the future. Buffeted as we are by the climate crisis we need this modern human churning of the ocean.

Sustaining Life and Livelihoods: SDG 14

Life and Livelihoods, Blue Economy and Sustainable Development and  Climate Action efforts on the ocean create economic opportunities and wealth sustainably while also protecting the ocean ecosystem and our environment. Be it SDG 14 - Life Below Water or SDG 13 - Climate Action the Ocean SDGs & Economy SDGs (SDG 8, SDG 9, SDG 10) there is hope in peaceful coexistence through restoration of the ocean as well as protecting it well. Sustainable coastal and marine tourism is just one such opportunity. 

For Climate:  For Our Future 

Oceans are heaven as well as the best carbon store. It is through protecting our marine ecosystems can we ensure true climate action on an exponential scale. Strong Marine Protected Areas will lead to carbon credits and indirect carbon sequestration as well as improving  the lives and livelihoods of adjacent local communities. 

A bonus for getting to the end of this blog post

In honor of Oceans Day and my ocean-loving young nephew's birthday all in the same week in June I have recorded a playlist of 8 videos of the 8 chapters of the story, The Hermit and the Rose by Boris Lakhoder - a creative and imaginative explanation of the real-life symbiosis between the hermit crab and the sea anemone. 

Protect Our Environment: For Our Future

 If May was about biodiversity. June is all about ecosystems. As mentioned in the previous post the theme for World Environment Day 2026 (WED2026) is

Inspired by Nature.

For Climate.

For Our Future.

Source: Meraki By Me, Raakhee, 5 June 2026.

Protecting Our Environment

The month of June while observed as Orca Awareness Month (All About Killer Whales) otherwise has an enhanced focus on the ecosystems that support the biodiversity that's celebrated through May. 

Between World Bicycle Day (June 3rd, "Cycling into a Greener Future," 2026 theme), Environment Day (June 5th), Ocean Day (June 8th), International Day to Combat Desertification and Drought (June 17th), the Summer Solstice (also observed as Yoga Day, where Surya Namaskar a.k.a. Sun Salutations from India in the Northern Hemisphere is vital to the ancient practice and the sun too reaches its exaltation over the Tropic of Cancer running through the heart of India with two Sun Temples in the East and West along the latitude), and Rainforests Day (June 22nd), the focus is firmly on the ecosystems and environment that supports life and livelihoods. 

The time is now. Action is necessary urgently as security risks abound in India, South Asia and beyond due to climate change and the heating planet supercharging weather phenomena such as the El Nino. The UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres himself took time out to mention the impending climate disasters likely triggered by the Super El Nino as warned by the World Meteorological Organization: 

While our Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are environment coded, protecting our planet in the quest to truly progress is all about putting people, planet, progress and profits in the same page of the plan of action. 

As mentioned by internationally recognized voice from the Global South for the environment, Centre for Science and Environment's (CSE) Sunita Narain in her insightful analysis ahead of WED2026 in the CSE publication Down To Earth, inclusive growth and sustainable development in modeling our growth story is vital to protect our environment: 

Inclusive plans of action and an intersectional lens are vital features of true environmentalism. The effects of the climate crisis are gendered and classist hence the process of protecting our environment needs to voices of women, girls, minorities and the marginalized, with a responsive ground up, grassroots grown approach.

For Our Future 

Nations are institutions are doing quite a bit to protect our environment "for our future," but a lot more needs to be done. 

The pace of destructive activity and our crude oil addiction outpaces conservation and restoration efforts and the mainstreaming of renewable energy sources.  

Ecofeminism is needed as the growth model now more than ever. Gender Equality (SDG5), Reduced Inequality (SDG10) and Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions (SDG16) are all vital to Climate Action (SDG13) and the path to Just Transition and robust environmentalism. 

Meanwhile, as an individual, this environment day and beyond you can track your personal carbon footprint (Check out OnlyPlanet.in) and find means to shrink it to reduce your impact on the environment in order to protect it ... for our future. For, to quote the immortal Jane Goodall, 

"Every single one of us makes an impact on our planet every single day and we can choose what kind of impact we make."

Ecomodernism in the lead up to Environment Day 2026

 After a May focused on celebrating biodiversity in its many forms, the main focus in June will be Environment Day, observed on 5 June 2026. 

The theme for World Environment Day 2026 (WED2026) is 

"Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future."

WED2026 is hosted by Azerbaijan. 

Personally I have found the environmental philosophies of Ecomodernism, Ecofeminism and a future reimagined as "Solar Punk" most in-line with the theme of #WorldEnvironmentDay2026. The theme of Environment Day as well as the ecology-centric worldviews of  Ecomodernism and Ecofeminism put the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Circularity at their hearts. An ecology-first approach with an intersectionalist lens is central to reimagining a regenerative world. 

What is Insersectnality?

(See explainer video below)

Ecomodernism 

"Ecomodernism is an environmental philosophy arguing that human technological development and economic growth can—and should—be harnessed to protect nature and improve human wellbeing. At its core, ecomodernism focuses on 'decoupling', a process meant to separate growing economic prosperity from environmental damage. This is primarily achieved through 'land sparing'—intensifying human activities like food and energy production on less land, which leaves more space for natural ecosystems to thrive."

If I have reservations about ecomodernism its the approval of nuclear power, synthetic fertilizers, genetically modified crops and urbanization in the quest to concentrate civilization and let ecology thrive in silos. See the YouTube Shorts summary (10 Cool Facts!) below: 

Ecofeminism 

Ecofeminism was introduced in Carolyn Merchant's 1980 book The Death of Nature: Women, Ecology, and the Scientific Revolution. It calls for knowledge with an ecological ethic of care instead of dominance. A return to a mode of development in partnership with nature, respecting it as living systems instead of machines to be controlled and dominated. See the explainer YouTube shorts below: 

Solarpunk 

"Solarpunk a literary, artistic, and social movement that envisions a sustainable, optimistic future where humanity lives in harmony with nature. It blends advanced renewable technology (the tech, SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy) with ecological awareness, actively rejecting climate doomerism in favor of community-driven, post-capitalist solutions (punk resistance to neocapitalism, neocolonialism & neoliberalism, et al. a.k.a. “Empire,” as Arundhati Roy puts it)"

Electric Bus launched in Indian Metros & Solar Ferry in Kochi's (Keralam) backwaters.

One of  the facilitators from my South Asia fellowship with Climate Tracker a decade ago (2016), Renee Karunungan from The Philippines, now based in United Kingdom shared how she has solarized her home and electrified her transport with UK government subsidies.  

Beyond Environment Day: For Our Future

Meanwhile my classmate, Venkatesh R. highlighted the plans for going 100% Off-Grid in India in his post on Medium as the Ground Truth Architect.

With the heating Pacific Ocean and predictions of a Super El Nino bound to mess with my city, Chennai's monsoon season (Northeast Monsoon), Venkatesh 'the Ground Truth Architect' also highlighted low-cost retrofits of the city's existing storm drains and rainwater harvesting systems as well as the introduction of porous roads in low-traffic areas and parking as well as bioswales in place of medians on highways. Thus reimaging the Greater Chennai Metropolis as a sponge city. 

Inspired by Nature: Biomimicry & Beyond

Video: Sponge City: Chinese Style

Inspiration from nature is a way of working in partnership with it for people, planet and profits. This can be as simple as growing your kitchen garden to encourage symbiosis or can go up to inspiration for tech to clean up the messes of over-consumption, capitalism, neocolonialism and neoliberalism.

#PlantHealthDay contd.
Healthy Plants for Healthy Humans!
Let's #endhunger & obliterate #micronutrienthunger AKA #microhunger - #SDG2 #ZeroHunger through thriving plant #biodiversity #SDG15 #LifeOnLand in our #kitchengardens #herbpatches & beyond#FruitForests as #UrbanForests https://t.co/EwznYjzOht

— Raakhee Suryaprakash (@10sunshinegal) May 26, 2026

 

For Climate: For Our Future

Beyond consumption for consumption's sake, living under the cloud of planned obsolescence as we are, we need to embrace the tenets of the circular economy models and sustainable development to live in harmony with nature. 

My dad handed me two clothespins. “This,” he said, “is the story of everything.”

In one hand: a clothespin from the 1960s. Solid hardwood, smooth from decades of use. It still works perfectly, some 60 years later.

In the other: a clothespin from 2025. Lighter, paler wood,… pic.twitter.com/Rh33ZpVOxR

— Mr PitBull Stories (@MrPitbull07) May 26, 2026

And however we design solutions, we must remember to hold an intersectional lens up to the problem to solve it holistically and regeneratively! 

Uncut grass keeps the ground at around 19.5°C
Grass cut to 10 cm raises the ground temperature to about 24.5°C
Bare ground in the middle of summer rises to over 40°C
It's important to raise awareness #NoMowMay pic.twitter.com/IQJviy48Ko

— Dr Elaine Cox 🍃 💚 🍃🌽🥬🐦‍⬛🐌🇬🇧 (@ElaineCox11) May 25, 2026

 

 

“Shuddhi” & Synchronicities: Mental Health Awareness

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Early in January this year I set up a Facebook page, "Meraki by Me, Raakhee" to share my creations and honor my New Year resolution to create more than I consume. In a wonderful demonstration of "synchronicities" as mentioned by one of the online participants of the session I attended, the universe conspired to help me and I came across a WhatsApp Status updaate for a "curated reading" of Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way the night before the event. 

To boost my creativity and mental health, on Tuesday, 19 May 2026, I participated in this hybrid Reading Circle session led by Swathy, an ace educational therapist, of Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way at Shuddhi Space. The book as toolkit to boost creativity and the circle of supportive young minds at Shuddhi Space recharged me. Perfect activity for May which is Mental Health Awareness Month. 

The word "Shuddhi" means healing or cleansing, and the space is all about "Together toward Holistic Healing."  Mission Accomplished!

We exchanged ideas, learnings, gratitude and little mementoes to wrap up the session. I've come away thrilled that one of my creations - an artwork "Star of the Sea" that I posted about on my Facebook page Meraki by Me, Raakhee now hangs in the "Friends of Shuddhi" Corner along with its repurposed plastic sleeve with hanger a garment I bought came in as instant picture frame.

Here's to Sunrise Walks and "Morning Pages" to boost mental health and kick start creativity.

SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-Being

Climate Change and Mental Health 

In addition to winter blues and seasonal depression, the new weather related mood disrupter is heat. Heat stress increase in irritability, arguments and domestic violence. Extreme heat in addition to many other women-specific vulnerabilities disproportionately affects women's health and their mental health.

Humidity and high night-time temperatures disrupt sleep and affect mental health, mood and productivity.

Create to Combat Cognitive & Mental Health Decline 

pic.twitter.com/02Cs12fe2s

— Cozyreads (@Cozyreads_) May 4, 2026

Becoming by Creating 

A powerful reading of Kurt Vonnegut's November 2006 letter to students by thespian par excellence Sir Ian McKellan on the power of creating and creativity in helping one find oneself and becoming!

Healthy Bodies for Healthy Minds 

Ancient philosopher Musonious was an ardent proponent that healthy bodies are vital for healthy minds.

Exercise, Dancing, Singing, Listening to Uplifting and Foot-tapping Music, Meditation, Yoga, Tai Chi, Deep Breathing, Tapping and trying to be aware of your inner workings and emotions by listening to your body by shutting out the outside noise and focusing inwards all help with boosting mental health and well-being.

Mindless and repetitive physical activity, a kind of meditative movement helps deal with faltering moods and creative blocks. Britain's Wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill was famous for fighting off his dark moods - his depression through bricklaying. 

Winston Churchill fought his depression with bricks. He'd lay them for hours at his country home in Kent. He joined the bricklayers' union. And in 1921 he wrote about why it worked. It took psychology another 75 years to catch up.

He called his depression the "Black Dog." It… https://t.co/QfAsWvT9KB

— Anish Moonka (@anishmoonka) May 5, 2026

Female Friendships, a Nurturing Circle of Friends, a Supportive Social Life

Rural women from Kutch, Gujarat, embroidering together - supportive community and income stream

(SDG 11: Sustainable Community and SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth)

                                                  

A supportive circle is everything. Be it family, friends or community, mood and mental health is healed by a nurturing and supportive circle of people. 

Heal in Nature 

Traditional remedies are very effective in tackling mental health challenges and in places like Japan, Finland & Greece they actually prescribe spending time in nature to reset circadian rhythms and cortisol levels and manage mental health.

"Few people know how to take a walk. The qualifications are endurance, plain clothes, old shoes, an eye for nature, good humour, vast curiosity, good speech, good silence, and nothing too much."
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson pic.twitter.com/elMQFfOgld

— Cian McCarthy (@arealmofwonder) May 9, 2026

Forest Bathing or Shinrin-yoku in Japan, actual sea bathing (jumping into the Mediterranean Sea) in Greece, and hiking, sun & sauna time in Finland all are prescribed as healing practices for those struggling with mental health challenges. Audio Therapy of the Golden Frequency (432 Hertz) and even bird song also is effective in lowering cortisol levels - the so-called golden frequency in the golden ratio (1.618) helps heal. As does just the act of getting out of your head and observing minutely the miracle of nature surrounding you. 

Part 2. Charles Dickens swam in freezing sea water every morning before he could write. He built himself an ice-cold shower under a 150-foot waterfall in 1849. He wrote letters explaining why it worked. The chemistry of what he was doing has only just been measured.

Dickens…

— Anish Moonka (@anishmoonka) May 16, 2026

Charles Dickens fought his depression by walking through London at night. One October he set out at 2 in the morning and walked 30 miles, all the way to his country home in Kent. In 1860 he wrote about why it worked. It took psychology another 150 years to catch up.

Dickens… pic.twitter.com/l7ptbBytbJ

— Anish Moonka (@anishmoonka) May 15, 2026

Healing Plants 

 Insomnia, anxiety and stress are things tackled through plant extracts targeting the five senses. A popular example is Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) for stress relief. 

Then there is the obvious, food of the gods - Chocolate that has been repeatedly proved to be a health and well-being powerhouse - Theobromine the active component in chocolate/cocoa is truly a miraculous one. 

While exploring herbal health solutions, nothing beats Traditional know-how like Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Forest herbs, kashayams (elixirs stirred up on kitchen stoves by concerned wives, mothers and grandmothers) and kitchen garden remedies passed down through generations are still very effective in boosting health, well-being,  mood and mental health.