Top 40 secrets to happiness – including close family, laughter and tea

By | October 5, 2019

A close-knit family, laughter and a good cup of tea are among the secrets to happiness.

Regular exercise, being kind to strangers and singing in the shower also feature as the ingredients for a cheerful existence.

Getting ‘enough’ sleep also helps make life more enjoyable as well as going on holiday at least once a year and indulging in the occasional tipple.

The study of 2,000 adults, commissioned by Bupa Care Homes, found regularly catching up with loved ones and getting involved in the local community are also important.

The research was carried out to celebrate Silver Sunday, a nationwide event taking place on Sunday (October 6), to help tackle loneliness by bringing different generations together.

A good cup of tea can solve almost any problem

Everyone sounds great when singing in the shower – but it could also be good for your happiness, too

Joan Elliott, managing director for Bupa Care Homes, said: “Through this research we wanted to give people a chance to pause and think about what really makes them smile.

“It’s interesting to see that our friends, family and wider community all play a key role in our happiness.

“We know it can be hard to maintain these bonds though, especially for older people, which is why we’re holding public events across the country to help people celebrate Silver Sunday.”

The study also saw spending time with the kids, having a pet and dancing feature in the top 40 secrets to happiness.

Being able to forgive others and being able to forgive yourself for your own mistakes both made the cut too.

Read More:  7 Signs Your Family Could Benefit From a Healthcare Provider In the Home

Don’t forget to catch up with loved-ones

Bupa wants to bring different generations together

And so did cooking or baking, being able to laugh at yourself and having a hobby.

It also emerged 83 per cent consider having a good relationship with family and friends to be ‘vital’ in order to lead a contented existence.

But sadly, six in 10 struggle to see their family as often as they would like.

In fact, a quarter only manage to catch up with them once every six months or less.

Family aside, human interaction is key to happiness too – almost half said having the chance to meet new people is ‘important’.

Further to this, almost three quarters said being part of a supportive community has played a significant role in their overall happiness.

However, more than half of those polled wish they were more involved in their community than they are currently.

A close-knit family is key to happiness

Read More

Top news stories from Mirror Online

The Bupa study carried out through OnePoll also found a whopping 86 per cent are happy with their lot in life.

And 60 per cent believe money really DOESN’T buy you happiness, although financial security did make the top 40.

Joan Elliott added: “Silver Sunday is about making time for one another and bringing people together, especially those who might otherwise struggle to meet new people.

“It’s a chance to make new friends and catch up with familiar faces, and everyone’s welcome to join.”

Read More:  How does allergies affect voice

This Sunday (October 6) more than 80 Bupa homes will open their doors, hosting activities including roast dinners and pub quizzes, tea dances and Mad Hatter’s tea parties.

To see the homes which are participating visit the Silver Sunday page on the Bupa website .

Being kind to strangers can make you both happy

TOP 40 – SECRETS TO HAPPINESS

1. Laughter

2. Having a good relationship with your family

3. Being fit and healthy

4. Getting enough sleep

5. Seeing your loved ones regularly

6. Financial security

7. Having a partner

8. Getting regular exercise

9. Being able to laugh at yourself

10. Making others happy

11. Eating healthily

12. Being able to forgive yourself for your own mistakes

13. Being polite

14. Having a close friendship group

15. Having a hobby

16. Going on holiday at least once a year

17. Being able to forgive others

18. Falling in love at least once

19. Having a pet

20. Being kind to strangers

21. Travelling the world and experiencing other cultures

22. Spending time with the kids

23. Living close to your family

24. A good cup of tea

25. Being a regular reader

26. Feeling like part of a community

27. An occasional tipple

28. Saying hello/good morning/good afternoon etc to strangers

29. Getting your five fruit and vegetables a day

30. Knowing your neighbours

31. Cooking/baking

32. Having a successful job

33. Indulging yourself in snacks/sweet treats

34. Singing in the car/kitchen/shower

35. Doing charitable work

36. A busy social life

37. Dancing

38. Mum’s cooking

Read More:  What medication for arthritis

39. Calling home once a week

40. Painting or drawing


Mirror – Health