Mental health affects our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It dictates the way we act, feel and speak. It also dictates the way we handle stress. Metal health, therefore, becomes very important at every stage of life right from childhood to adulthood. Happiness Happens Day is celebrated on the 8th of August with the aim to destress and find the true purpose of being happy. It encourages people to tackle their mental health problems like anxiety and stress. Because staying under stress for a prolonged period of time can result in severe consequences. During the pandemic, as many as 56% were suffering anxiety and stress from the age group 18-24. So on the occasion of Happiness Happens Day, we at MediCircle have brought a series where people going through stress could find solutions as we get answers from experts.

Beena R. Sawant is a psychologist and psychotherapist with experience of 25 years. She is a Senior Psychologist, Psychiatry Department at Sir J.J Group of Hospitals since 2012. She is associated with Air Force Station and Army Research and Referral Hospital, New Delhi. She has also learned alternative Tao Healing techniques from Dr and Master Sha.

Definition of Happiness

She explains, "There is no definition to happiness as such. I would like to say it is contentment. When a person is a content, he or she will not care for material things. Happiness is nothing but how content a person is."

How Happiness creates Health

She tells, "The happier a person is, the better his/her health will be. Happiness can also help in recovery. Many times when a person is ill, their entire family suffers. At such times it is essential to maintain happiness amongst all."

How one's personality affects

She mentions, "Being happy depends on the person's self-confidence. Happiness is not an independent variable, it is a dependent variable. So the more content and confident the person is, the happier he/she will be. This will in return increase their quality of life. To have a good quality of life one must put efforts into making it better."

How to stay happy in spite of Covid

She elaborates, "Unlike other disasters, Covid doesn't affect us for 2-3 days. It is a long-standing battle. There is no telling when it will end. Some families have lost something, some families have lost a lot."

Message from Beena Sawant

She says, "I would advise everyone to keep their expectations appropriately. I am not advising it to be low just telling you to set it appropriately. Also, don't keep your expectations dependent on others. For many, their child's marks are the cause of their happiness. Your expectations hence should be kept appropriate. Also, try to do Yoga. As it keeps the energy flowing in your body."

(Edited by Priyal Shah)