Fifty things that make you feel happier
| 6th August 2019
Less plastic being used, winning the lottery – and a ban on nuclear weapons would make everyone, a survey has revealed.
A poll found one third believe the seas being free of rubbish would send their happiness levels soaring.
While others say their general mood would improve if Brexit was cancelled, Donald Trump stepped down and nicer people ran the major countries in the world.
Receiving gifts, having good skin days forever and someone offering to cook would also see a rise in happiness levels.
While 13 per cent would find lifelong contentment by knowing if there really is a heaven.
Just nine per cent of people polled claim to be ‘extremely happy’, but finding a fiver in their pocket, enjoying longer summers and getting a bonus at work would help to temporarily improve their state of mind.
David Cook, sales director for Baxi, which carried out the study in conjunction with its ‘Moments of Joy’ campaign, said: “As the study shows, the state of the nation isn’t at its most positive right now.
“Less than one in 10 adults can hand on heart say they are really happy, and that’s a real shame.
“We have a long way to go to improve world issues such as the use of plastic, climate change and leadership, but there are smaller things which can be done to elevate feelings day-to-day.
“Sometimes smaller changes can make all the difference, and make a bad week seem better.”
Researchers found many also wish for brilliant exchange rates, a complete stop to reality TV and a reduction in traffic.
Winning a new car, getting mortgage payments reduced or a surprise tax refund would also help people feel more cheerful.
For some, just the cat or dog choosing to sit on their lap, or being able to get out of bed an hour later would suffice.
However, the survey found the average adult is really affected by the current state of the world, with seven in 10 admitting their overall feeling of happiness is tainted by things such as disastrous politics and global warming.
Even the weather can bring down a good mood for 67 per cent of those polled.
For four in 10 people, happiness is more important than being rich – and to achieve such feelings, 23 per cent will reach for anything that offers instant gratification.
Watching a favourite TV show, having a little treat like cake or chocolate and just making the effort to smile at people in the street are just some of the ways adults try to pick themselves up.
Listening to a favourite song, having a brew, reading a book and getting outside are other ways Brits try to boost their mood.
But more than half of people would be prepared to change their life completely, such as moving jobs or relocating, if they thought it would lead to a better life.
David Cook for Baxi added: “Some of the happiness triggers are definitely long term goals, and not something which we can fix easily.
“However, we can help to create smaller moments of joy, and hope to be able to work with our customers over the coming weeks to ensure their days are a little bit brighter.”
TOP 50 WAYS TO BE HAPPIER
1. Winning the lottery
2. Going on holiday
3. Finding a fiver in your pocket
4. The sea being free of rubbish
5. Longer summers
6. Winning a new car
7. Getting a bonus at work
8. Sleeping through a whole night
9. Getting a freebie
10. Having actual summer weather in the summer
11. Getting an upgrade on your hotel / flight without paying
12. Going to the till and finding something is cheaper than you had expected
13. You get a tax refund
14. Finding something you thought you’d lost forever
15. Less traffic
16. Climate change being halted
17. All plans going to plan
18. Less use of plastic
19. Getting a present from someone
20. Having nice people run the biggest countries in the world
21. A whole new wardrobe for free
22. Receiving gifts
23. Nuclear weapons being banned around the world
24. Donald Trump stepping down
25. Brexit being cancelled
26. Being able to retire early
27. Finding out your insurance has gone down
28. Dog owners actually picking up dog poo
29. When you cook something you’ve never cooked before and it’s really good
30. Having good skin days forever
31. Mortgage payments reducing
32. If you didn’t sweat when hot
33. Items on sale being available in your size
34. A dog (or cat) choosing you to sit on
35. Realising you’ve overpaid on your utility bills
36. No more reality TV shows
37. Someone offering to cook for you
38. A bigger back garden
39. The exchange rate for Euros being brilliant just before a holiday
40. England (male or female) winning the world cup
41. Being able to get out of bed an hour later
42. Cheaper beer
43. Wearing a really old item of clothing and finding it still fits
44. Winters being warmer
45. Going out for drinks and finding out it’s 2-4-1
46. Finding out if there is really a heaven
47. A train having enough seats so you don’t have to stand up
48. Getting home to find dinner on the table
49. Getting a promotion
50. No more chewing gum left on pavements