What makes you happiest?
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The best things in life are the simplest – and when it comes to enjoying simple pleasures it seems that, for many Brits, nothing beats a good old giggle.
In an independent poll undertaken by Vision Critical for Apples from New Zealand, British consumers were asked to name the simple things that make life more pleasurable. In an increasingly complicated and stressful world, we always seem to be looking for ways to re-connect with what really matters and the research confirms that people place the highest value on the least materialistic options – family, friends and the beauty of nature are the things which make us happiest.
22% of us chose laughter as our most important simple pleasure, whether that be sharing a good laugh with our best mates or catching a top comedian’s tour. Immediately behind that, was sharing great food with great friends (21%). We love to sit, eat, drink and talk around a table and it’s even better enjoyed out in the fresh air. In third place, according to those taking part in the poll, was receiving a hug (19%).
The top ten simple pleasures are:
Laughing (22%), Sharing great food with great friends (21%), Receiving a hug (19%), feeling the warmth of the sun on your face (10%), Taking time out with a good book (8%), walking on the beach (7%), lying in freshly laundered sheets (5%), watching a spectacular sunset (3%), reminiscing over old photographs (3%), catching the smell of freshly cut grass (1%).
The poll was commissioned by Apples from New Zealand, whose growers are dedicated to sharing simple pleasures like taking a moment to eat an apple.
In addition to the top ten, people also voted for:
Peeling an apple in a single strip
Listening to bird song
Having a lie-in
Playing with children
Eating the first harvest from your garden
The smell and feel of a sea breeze
Peace and quiet
‘Me’ time
A common courtesy
Soaking in a hot bath
The smell of freshly baked bread
Listening to good music
Playing with a puppy
Paddling at the beach
Waking up on a sunny day
Being loved
Unexpected phone calls from old friends
Meditating
Reading a story with my child
Walking or cycling in the countryside
Staring at the night sky
Seeing bluebells
A stranger sharing a smile
Being greeted by the family pet
Drinking tea from fine china
Bobbing about on a lilo in the sea
Walking on wet grass
Leaving the office when it’s still light outside
Making the first footprints on snow
Jumping through a sprinkler/fountain
Seeing last year’s bulbs coming up again
Getting a drawing from your child
Having a massage from your partner
Licking the mixing bowl
Seeing the new autumn leaves
Being tickled
June 3, 2011