AiR launches ‘Pause for Happpiness’ mental well-being campaign

AiR, also known as Atman in Ravi, has launched a nationwide behavioural initiative titled ‘Pause for Happpiness’ as India enters the new year facing sustained pressure on mental and physical well-being. The campaign invites people across age groups to integrate short, intentional pauses into daily routines, positioning happpiness as a conscious practice rather than a distant outcome.

The initiative spells happpiness with three Ps, reflecting AiR’s belief that it is formed through pleasure, peace and purpose. According to this philosophy, pleasure relates to achievement, peace to fulfilment and purpose to enlightenment. The campaign aims to make these elements accessible through everyday habits rather than long-term milestones.

India currently ranks 118th out of 147 countries in the World Happiness Report 2025, with a score of 4.389, an improvement from 126th in 2024. Despite this increase, the country continues to face challenges related to social support and freedom. Broader indicators underline the scale of the issue. Around 74% of Indians report chronic stress, 88% experience anxiety disorders and more than 70% of urban professionals report burnout, with one in five considering quitting their jobs. Among students in major cities, 70% report anxiety and 20–25% experience depression. Searches for mental health insurance increased by 41% in 2025.

‘Pause for Happpiness’ is grounded in AiR’s concept of ‘creating your inner atmosphere’, which focuses on stepping away from routine autopilot behaviour and reconnecting with personal awareness. Research cited by the campaign indicates that short mindful pauses, such as deep breathing, can reduce cortisol levels by up to 25%, improve focus and strengthen resilience. This is positioned as a response to the 10.6% prevalence of mental disorders among Indian adults, with 70–92% of cases remaining untreated due to stigma and limited access to care.

The campaign runs from its launch date through January 31, 2026, and will be rolled out across digital platforms, including social media, podcasts, college campuses and community-led forums. These channels are intended to encourage discussion around mental renewal and provide practical resources.

At the centre of the initiative is a cinematic launch film narrated by AiR. The film depicts everyday situations, such as traffic congestion or moments before entering a boardroom, and highlights how brief pauses can create mental stability, short-term calm and sustained well-being.

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 also responds to widening urban-rural disparities, with anxiety prevalence at 13.5% in urban areas compared to 6.9% in rural regions. Suicide remains the leading cause of death among Indians aged 15–29. Against this backdrop, ‘Pause for Happpiness’ promotes evidence-based tools for mindful awareness, positioning a single breath as an accessible intervention.

AiR plans to extend the initiative through workshops, digital challenges and collaborations with wellness influencers. The stated objective is to frame happpiness as a daily discipline rather than a luxury, potentially supporting improvements in social connection and generosity indicators referenced in global happiness studies.