Mission Happiness- Towards Emotional Well Being & Positive Mental Strength

As the COVID-19 pandemic enters its second year, staying physically healthy isn’t enough, a special attention has to be paid on the mental wellbeing after the deteriorating mental health condition across the country.

Schools have always been at the forefront to realize the need of the hour. On May 21, Apeejay School, Pitampura had addressed the issue of mental health and had organised a webinar with teachers, parents and students on Mission happiness- towards emotional wellbeing and positive mental strength.

Veena Goel, Principal of Apeejay School, Pitampura said, “Covid-19 pandemic has led to a sense of isolation, a feeling of loneliness. A sense of self-pity has gripped us. To seek help in strategizing ways to come back from stress and to have joyful parenting at home with our loved ones, we have to stay happy.”

Empathising with parents and teachers for accepting the challenges they have faced, Dr. Jyotsana, a Psychologist and counsellor, who was the guest speaker for the webinar said, “We can’t stop the storm, we have to learn to adjust the sails of our ships”
“Happiness is just a state of mind, it’s in our head and we can hold it in our heart as well,” she said.

EXERCISE FOR STUDENTS
Asking students to describe a few pictures she showed on screen, she explained the state of mind. First, she asked them to narrate a sad story after seeing a picture, then she asked to see the positive or happy side of the picture. She asked the students to think the other way round and imagine the same picture for a happy story. Interestingly, the students were able to see both the sad story and happy story from a single picture.

She also gave an exercise to students for every day. “Look at yourself and smile every day. Smile at yourself, smile at everybody. Your day will start at a good note,” she told students.
REALITY & THE SOLUTIONS

Agreeing to the fact that during this difficult time we have to push ourselves to be happy, she called it a mission. Before Covid-19, happiness wasn’t a mission, but now it is, she said.

Irritated, angry, sad/anxious, bored/lazy are the feelings that each one of us have, she said. Even students shared their stories about such feelings they are dealing with.

She said that the world has changed, routine has changed, school, studies and friends, an uncertain future, and running out of patience makes us sad/angry/irritated. She suggested breaking the cycle!

“Everyone wants happiness. No one wants pain. But you can’t have a rainbow without a little rain,” she said.

GET IMMUNITY FOR LIFE

To get immunity to fight COVID-19, she said getting vaccinated is important, but to get immunity for life we need four pillars for a strong foundation—Mental health, emotional health, physical health and spiritual health.

“The difference between a good day and a bad day is your attitude. It’s like an ice berg—what we see and what is underneath,” she said.

While suggesting the solutions, she said, “Self-awareness, Self-talk, positive thinking can help us. Managing emotions is very important. Do not control your emotions, learn to manage emotions.”

MANTRA FOR HAPPY LIFE

SET it right! S- Sleep Well, E-Eat healthy, T-Time for Fitness. This is the mantra for mission happiness, she said.

Make a schedule–New learning, school work and classes, time management, virtual time/safety, routine/ habits, learning environment.

“Just breathe…You are strong enough to handle your challenges, wise enough to find solutions to your problems. Capable enough to do what needs to be done,” she asked to believe.


THE DAILY FIVE!

What is the good news today?

Something to smile/laugh about?

What am I thankful for today-gratitude?

Have I reached out to someone today?

Have I complimented someone today?

“Learning to cope with stress in a healthy way is what we want to know, so that it will make us and those around us more resilient.”

Mrs. Veena Goel, Principal

“Health is not just being ‘disease free’. Health is when every cell of  your body is bouncing with joy!”

Dr. Jyotsana Bharadwaj