New Delhi: As India steps into the new year amid rising concerns around stress, anxiety, and burnout, AiR — Atman in Ravi — has launched a nationwide behavioural-change initiative titled “Pause for Happpiness”, aimed at helping Indians slow down, reconnect, and cultivate inner peace. Timed with the onset of 2026, the campaign encourages people across age groups to incorporate intentional pauses into daily life, reframing happpiness as a conscious, accessible practice rather than a distant goal.
The initiative draws from AiR’s distinctive philosophy of happpiness, spelled with three Ps—pleasure (achievement), peace (fulfilment), and purpose (enlightenment)—which he believes together form the foundation of true and lasting happpiness. The campaign arrives at a critical moment, as India continues to rank low on global well-being indicators, standing at 118th out of 147 countries in the World Happiness Report 2025, despite marginal improvement over the previous year.
India’s mental health challenges remain stark. Reports indicate that 74% of Indians experience chronic stress, 88% suffer from anxiety-related disorders, and over 70% of urban professionals face burnout, with many considering quitting their jobs. Among students in major cities, anxiety levels are equally alarming, while untreated mental health conditions persist due to stigma and lack of access.
Rooted in AiR’s concept of “Creating Your Inner Atmosphere,” the campaign advocates stepping off mental autopilot to reconnect with one’s true self. Backed by research, the initiative highlights how short mindful pauses—such as deep breathing—can significantly reduce cortisol levels, improve focus, and build emotional resilience, offering a practical antidote to everyday stress.
Running from December 17, 2025, to January 31, 2026, the “Pause for Happpiness” movement will roll out across digital platforms, college campuses, podcasts, and community spaces, sparking conversations around mental renewal and offering accessible tools for inner well-being.
At the heart of the campaign is a cinematic launch film narrated by AiR, capturing everyday moments—from traffic snarls to boardroom entrances—where a simple pause can become a gateway to calm, clarity, and sustained happiness.
Sharing his vision, Atman in Ravi, Happpiness Ambassador, said, “We often chase happpiness in milestones – a promotion, a holiday, a relationship. But happpiness is a state of being — being peaceful and blissful, cheerful and playful, grateful and joyful. It resides in the pauses we rarely permit ourselves. When you pause, when you are still, in silence, you experience peace, the foundation of peace; you encounter your true self. A mere five-second pause can shift the entire rhythm of your day, lowering stress, amplifying gratitude, and forging unbreakable mental strength. Let us collectively choose to breathe, to pause, and to thrive.”
The campaign’s urgency is underscored by troubling trends, including higher anxiety prevalence in urban India and youth suicide emerging as the leading cause of death among those aged 15–29. Through evidence-based mindfulness practices, “Pause for Happpiness” aims to empower millions to reclaim emotional balance—one breath at a time.
Looking ahead, AiR plans to amplify the movement through interactive workshops, digital challenges, and collaborations with wellness influencers, positioning happpiness as a daily discipline rather than a luxury. By fostering greater awareness, connection, and generosity, the initiative aspires to contribute meaningfully to India’s long-term well-being and happiness outcomes.
