Little things in life make us happiest
The little things in life - such as finding money in your jeans pocket - make us the happiest, according to research released by DoubleTree by Hilton.
The survey of 2,000 adults reveals that finding money you didn't know you had is the ultimate mood-booster. Second on the list is the sun shining. Arriving at the till to find an item has been further reduced, getting something for free and getting into bed with fresh sheets completed the top five. Treating others to a random act of kindness came sixth in the DoubleTree by Hilton Little Things Index, inspired by the hotels' commitment to surprising and delighting guests.
Sweet treats also featured heavily in the list, with chocolate, cookies and cake all among the top 20 things that make British people most happy. Sixty-two per cent of those surveyed have a sweet tooth and four out of ten adults say a sweet treat lifts their mood. Nearly a third (32 per cent) of adults confessed to getting irritable if they're hungry or peckish.
It may surprise some to learn we are a nation of optimists. More than half of those surveyed (52 per cent) say they have a 'glass half full' outlook on life and 56 per cent describe themselves as particularly happy. In the average week, a third of adults said they are 'truly happy' for 75 per cent of time, and over a quarter (27 per cent) said three or four little things cheer them up. According to the research, pleasant surprises provide us with the greatest moments of happiness with 82 per cent saying the best things in life are those you don't expect.
Dr. Glenn Williams, Senior Lecturer in Psychology at Nottingham Trent University said:
"It's vital for our health and well-being to experience positive emotions on a regular basis. As this research shows, an effective route to happiness is not necessarily through experiencing major events that we might have planned out such as getting married, moving house, getting that all-important promotion, or even being on a holiday. Rather it is the small, and often unexpected, pleasures in life that can make us smile each and every day to help us build happier and more meaningful lives for ourselves and for others."
The research marks the UK launch of DoubleTree by Hilton's global Cookie Care campaign, with thousands of pairs of chocolate chip cookies being given away across the country to unsuspecting passers-by - one to share and one to keep. The activity kicks off at London's Victoria Train Station.
John Greenleaf, Global Head for DoubleTree by Hilton, said: "It's clear that small acts of kindness are enormously powerful. That's why we share a warm, chocolate chip cookie with every guest when they check into our hotels after a stressful day of travel. That cookie is a symbol of our warm and caring hospitality, and we want to share Cookie Care with Londoners outside of our hotels. No matter where you are or how you're feeling, cookies have the power to make you smile."
Visit CookieCare.com to find out more about the Cookie Care campaign, including the Cookie Care sweepstake where UK consumers can win prizes from more DoubleTree chocolate chip cookies to free nights at DoubleTree hotels around the world.
DoubleTree by Hilton Little Things Index
1. Finding a fiver in your jeans pocket
2. The sun shining
3. Heading to the till and finding out the item you picked up has been further reduced
4. Getting into bed with fresh sheets
5. Getting something for free
6. Performing a random act of kindness
7. Booking a holiday
8. A compliment from a stranger
9. Favourite song comes on the radio
10. Completing a long list of jobs
11. Eating chocolate
12. Looking at old photographs
13. Your car passing its MOT
14. Driving through a crowded car park and finding yourself behind someone in the first spot who is just leaving
15. A cup of tea and a cookie
16. Making plans with an old friend who you haven't seen in a long time
17. A slice of cake
18. Avoiding traffic
19. Someone making you a drink
20. Receiving praise from your colleague or boss