Lifestyle

Getting enough sleep and forgiving your enemies are among the secrets to happiness


What makes you happy? (Picture: Ella Byworth for Metro.co.uk)

We’d all like to be a little happier.

Deep down we know that true happiness probably comes from working through our issues, being nice to other people, finding a job that fulfills us, and getting rid of those massive worries like financial insecurity and climate change.

But that’s quite a lot of work, so we’d rather focus on quick, simple wins that people claim are the secrets to joy.

So, what can we do today to make ourselves happier?

According to a new bit of research, we should be singing in the shower and forgiving our enemies. Easy.

Bupa Care Homes commissioned a survey of 2,000 adults to celebrate Silver Sunday, a nationwide event taking place on Sunday 6 October to help tackle loneliness (as loneliness doesn’t make you happy, FYI).

This Sunday a load of Bupa homes will open their doors to host activities including roast dinners, pub quizzes, dances, and Mad Hatter’s tea parties. If you’re in need of something to bring some cheer to your day, you can check if a home near you is taking part.

But in the meantime, we can learn from what those who were surveyed said are the keys to happiness.

As you might expect, a lot of people said social connection is pretty important (handy, considering this survey is promoting that exact thing), as well as looking after your physical wellbeing and taking part in relaxing activities.

How many things are you ticking off?



The 40 secrets to happiness, according to the survey:

  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
  39. Calling home once a week
  40. Painting or drawing

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