Finding a ten pound note in the pocket of your jeans, climbing into bed with freshly washed sheets and seeing an elderly couple holding hands are three of the 50 things that make us happiest, a poll from Three Barrels Brandy has revealed.
The study into happiness levels also showed that most people are the happiest on Saturday evenings, whilst Christmas Day has been described as the happiest day of the year, the Daily Express reports.
“We can be having a terrible day at work when a quick thank you from the boss can pick us up and make us feel great. Similarly, we could be stuck in traffic when our favourite song comes on the radio and makes us forget about the nightmare daily commute. Small gestures from friends and family can also work wonders when you’re feeling a bit down in the dumps,” a research Spokesman said.
A study of over 2,500 Americans has revealed that some people may be happier than others due to the influence of the 5-HTT gene, associated with the release of serotonin in the brain, dubbed the ‘Happiness Gene’. Research has suggested that due to increased efficiency in distribution, people born with two long versions of the gene are more likely to feel ‘happy’ than those with two short versions.
Jan-Emmanuel De Neve, a researcher at the London School of Economics and Political Science told The Guardian: “This gives us more insight into the biological mechanisms that influence life satisfaction,”
“If you’re feeling down, your neurological circuitry could be partially responsible. By that I don’t mean to say that one can hold biology responsible for depression, but a better understanding of one’s unique genetic make-up combined with willpower could help in surmounting a psychological dip.”
The participants of the study were asked how satisfied they were with life as a whole and responded on a five-point scale from ‘very satisfied’ to ’very dissatisfied’. The results indicated that, everything else being equal, having one long version of the gene increased the number of ‘very satisfied’ people by around 8.5 per cent and having two long versions increased the number by 17.3 per cent.
De Neve stressed that although the gene could indicate why some people seem naturally more satisfied than others, it did not provide any fail-safe formula. He emphasised that two short versions of the gene did not condemn a person to misery any more than two long versions would make someone immune to depression.
De Neve said: “This gene has an important influence, but you cannot say it causes happiness. Happiness is hugely complex and your experiences throughout the course of your life will remain the dominant force on that.”
Read the full list of the 50 things that makes people happy below:
1. Finding a 10-pound note in an old pair of jeans
2. Going on holiday
3. Getting into bed with freshly washed sheets
4. Swimming in the sea
5. Waking up on a sunny day
6. Sitting in the sun
7. Being surprised with flowers or chocolates
8. Getting a nice message from a loved one
9. Cuddles
10. Getting a thank you card in the post
11. Seeing old people holding hands
12. Driving a car with the window down on a sunny day
13. Winning a tenner
14. Booking a holiday
15. Listening to your favourite song
16. Finding a bargain
17. Seeing an old friend
18. Picnic in the park
19. Getting promoted
20. Romantic night out
21. Hearing a song that reminds you of your past
22. Looking back at old photos
23. Making a new friend
24. Getting a quiet moment to yourself
25. Walks in the country
26. Hearing a baby laugh
27. Having a girlie/lads night out
28. Waking up on a Saturday morning and realising it’s the weekend
29. Chocolate
30. Eating cake
31. Fitting into a pair of jeans you thought were too small
32. Praise from your boss
33. Smell of freshly baked bread or cookies
34. Warm bubble bath
35. Someone telling you you have lost weight
36. Finding out someone likes you
37. Sunday dinners
38. Smell of freshly cut grass
39. Landing at the holiday airport
40. Good hair day
41. Bank holidays
42. Passing a driving test
43. Swanky hotel rooms
44. Children doing well at school
45. Someone offering elderly people their seat on the bus or train
46. Someone giving you their car parking ticket at the car park
47. Waking up to find out it has snowed overnight
48. Drinking a cold beer after work
49. Eating comfort food
50. Kissing
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