A 22-year-old lady, Falguni, recently shifted to her dream city, Mumbai, a city that never sleeps. She packed her bags, left her small hometown, Alwar, Rajasthan, and was ready to be a famous artist world knows of.

She didn't know she would lose her health in the fight to learn the art that creates a difference.

Falguni always had a knack for art; her favorite subject in school and college was Arts. She decided in 12th standard to shift to Mumbai after graduation and pursue art as a passion and profession.

"Mumbai is a big city. How will you manage everything on your own?" her mother said.

"Mom, everything's going to be fine. I am an adult now. I need to move out to do something big in life." determined Falguni replied.

Falguni shifted to Mumbai and enrolled in the city's most prominent art school. She was happy, excited, and nervous at the same time. She couldn't wait for her classes to begin so that she could express herself through her paintings.

Days and weeks went by, and Falguni was enjoying her classes. She was doing better each day and made some fantastic masterpieces. 

Soon, one day, her life took a turn when she started feeling uneasy and felt anxious during an exam. She felt weird because she never had any anxiety issues in the past. 

Falguni also felt depressed without any solid reason. She was confused and felt lost. 

One day, Falguni video-called her mother.

"Mom, How are you?" 

"I am great, dear. How are you doing?"

"Mom, I am not doing great. Classes are going great; everyone here is so good and supportive. But, for the last few days, I have been unable to breathe properly. I have also noticed that I am forgetting small things and getting anxious over the same." Falguni told her mother.

"This is strange. Are you taking care of your diet?" her mother asked.

"Yes, mom. I am having my meals on time. I think it might be this new city environment. This city is so overcrowded and highly polluted." Falguni added.

"I think we should consult a doctor, Falguni. All these symptoms are not normal." her mother said.

As Falguni was not ready to visit a doctor in person nearby, her mother booked a video consultation with a doctor online. Falguni informed the doctor about her symptoms:

1. Breathlessness
2. Fatigue
3. Loss of concentration and focus
4. Headaches
5. Depression
6. Anxiety

The doctor also confirmed if she was experiencing any behavioral changes, brain fogginess, hallucinations, short term memory loss, to which Falguni agreed. 

"Falguni, your symptoms are a mix of physical and mental well-being. We will do some tests and then connect later. I will WhatsApp you some test names, go to a nearby pathology and get these tests done." the doctor told Falguni.

The reports were out, and doctors concluded that prolonged exposure to TRAP (Traffic-related air pollution) resulted in Dementia, Behavioral changes, and slight brain damage in Falguni.

Falguni and her mother took another consultation with the doctor, and he told them about everything. Falguni and her mother were shocked when they heard about the reports.

"Falguni, do you often forget about a few things in your daily lifestyle?" the doctor asked.

"I don't remember as such, but yes, I do get lost sometimes and try to recall where I kept something or what I was going to do," Falguni replied.

"How long have you noticed these behavioral changes?" the mother asked.

"Just after I moved in here. It was very mild initially, but then it became a pattern." Flaguni replied.

Everything that Falguni added to the conversation made it more evident that air pollution was the culprit. However, it was not too late, and the doctor wrote some medications, asked her to follow Wingify Earth's tips, and told her a few lifestyle changes that would make her feel better.

Here are a few things that can prevent you from inhaling polluted air:

1. Wear a mask whenever you go out.
2. Close car windows in heavy traffic.
3. Stay away from the area where trash or wood is burnt. 
4. Install a few air-purifying indoor plants in your room.
5. Pay attention to your diet.
6. Exercise at least 30 mins a day.
7. Install an air purifier in your house if possible.

Falguni felt better after a month, and she noticed positive changes. She was able to focus in her classes, and her depression and anxiety issues vanished. 

All these small yet effective steps can keep Falguni and us safe from air pollution. Air pollution affects not only our physical well-being but also our mental well-being. We are nothing without our brains, and before it's too late, let's fight with air pollution.