Pets, painting and not working in an office voted among secrets to finding happiness
Creativity found to be especially important
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While some extol the virtues of eating steamed vegetables and getting plenty of exercise as the key to a long life, others claim you should enjoy everything in moderation.
So, what is the general consensus when it comes to living a longer, and happier, life?
To find out, healthcare group Bupa surveyed more than 2,000 adults about what the things they believe lead to living a prolonged and content existence.
A loving partner, being close to family, laughing everyday and enjoying nature were among the top tips participants gave, alongside getting eight hours sleep, owning a pet and having at least one close friend.
Performing small acts of kindness, listening to music and living in the countryside were also recommended, as were reading every day and getting plenty of sunshine.
When it comes to employment, participants said it was vital to have a job you enjoy, be surrounded by people you get along with and not work in an office.
The survey also found that creativity was especially important, with activities like painting, puzzles, drawing and playing musical instruments commended by those polled.
In fact, hobbies proved so significant that participants were found to have an average of two pastimes on the go at any time, choosing to dedicate more than 369 hours a year to them – the equivalent of 15 days.
According to the study, eating your five-a-day also has a positive effect on happiness, as does going on at least one big holiday a year and doing things for charity.
Joan Elliott, managing director of Bupa Care Services said: “We will all have our own theories on what makes for a happy and fulfilled life.
“Overall there are a number of themes within our top 50 secrets to a long and happy life namely love, friendship, creativity, eating well and being outside.
“Creativity appears to be especially important and perhaps this is because it stimulates the mind and allows us to express ourselves and release any frustrations.”
As well as providing a comprehensive list of top tips, the survey also found that 90 per cent of participants believe happiness improves overall health, with 37 per cent admitting they are happier now than they have ever been.
Top 50 secrets to a long and happy life:
- A loving partner
- Being close to family
- Laughing every day
- Doing regular exercise
- Getting out and enjoying nature
- Getting eight hours a sleep
- Owning a pet
- Having enough money to do what you want
- Having a job you love
- Playing with your children/grandchildren
- Having a hobby
- Having at least one really close friend
- Getting your five-a-day
- Living in the countryside
- A small act of kindness every day
- Reading every day
- Having lots of friends
- Having a good sex life
- Having breakfast every day
- Going on lots of little holidays
- Listening to music every day
- The Mediterranean diet
- Seeing lots of the world
- Looking after your appearance
- Working with people you get along with
- Making sure you get enough sun
- Having treats like chocolate and cake in moderation
- Avoiding alcohol
- Going on a big holiday every year
- Doing a crossword or Sudoku every day
- Doing puzzles
- Watching your favourite TV shows
- Getting up early
- Cooking every day
- Relaxing with yoga or meditation
- Eating whatever you want
- Having a lie in at least once a week
- Getting involved in the local community
- Doing things for charity
- Staying single
- Going to events like concerts or sporting events
- Going to the beach as much as possible
- Doing something craft-related such as knitting or crochet
- Not working in an office
- Giving someone else a compliment every day
- Having a good gossip
- Taking/looking at photos every day
- Painting or drawing
- Getting a compliment from someone else every day
- Playing a musical instrument every day
Last month, a survey published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) suggested that marriage is also a key factor finding contentment.
The study showed that a person's marital status ranks only below good health as a key reason why people feel happy.
The data, which came from an annual population survey for Great Britain from October 2017 to September 2018, found that marriage had overtaken economic wealth in the list of most important factors when people evaluate how fulfilled their lives are.
Married people rated their life satisfaction 9.9 per cent higher than widows and widowers, and 8.8 per cent higher than divorced or separated people.
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