News Copy – by Emma Elsworthy
Walking in the countryside, soaking in a long bath – and spending an evening in the local pub are among our ‘happiest places’, it has emerged.
Relaxing in the garden, being on holiday in the sun and listening to their favourite music also made the list of things we do to cheer ourselves up.
A night in with a take away, binge-watching box sets, browsing the shelves of a bookstore and being in bed with a book and a cup of tea also feature.
The poll of 2,000 adults also found eight out of ten Brits have a ‘happy place’ to escape the stresses of everyday life.
And more than half admitted they need somewhere to relax and unwind.
Lisa Davis of Skipton Building, which commissioned the study, said: “While most people are happy with their lives in general, it’s natural for stress to build up.
“It’s really important to have somewhere you can escape to, be it physically or even mentally, to take your mind off the everyday and help you feel in a good place.”
The results also found women are 10 per cent more likely to have a happy place to escape to than men.
And women are twice as likely to count cuddling up with the kids on the sofa as their favourite escape as men are.
Women are also more likely to seek solace in yoga, exercise or artistic pursuits than men, who prefer going to the pub or pottering in the shed.
Most Brits’ ‘happy places’ are usually something they do in solitude rather than with other people.
And the average adult escapes six times a week, although one in ten visit their ‘good place’ more than 11 times each week.
The perfect time to spend in a good place to recalibrate one’s emotional state was revealed to be precisely 41 minutes and 33 seconds.
Seven in 10 adults agreed the best happy places are ones that don’t cost a penny, according to the research conducted with OnePoll.com.
One in four who took part said they don’t spend as much time as they’d like doing exactly what they want to do.
But for more than one in 10 it’s much more than a place; it’s the feeling of knowing that their finances are in order, as eight per cent stated they feel their most happiest when paying in to their savings account.
Lisa Davis, Skipton’s human resources officer, added: “It’s refreshing to see the variety of things that Brits do to improve their happiness.
”Whether it’s spending time with friends, curling up with a good book or even having the time to manage their finances, all of which have been found to a make a difference to a person’s well-being.”
“At Skipton, we understand that we all want to feel like we’re in a good place and it’s something we’ve been aiming to provide since 1853, helping people to save for their future and secure the keys to their own home.
“Well-being is really important at Skipton, which is why we have well-being experts to ensure our colleagues are in a good place.”
BRITS’ TOP 50 ‘HAPPY PLACES’
1. A walk in the countryside
2. Relaxing in the garden
3. On holiday in the sun
4. Listening to your favourite music
5. Having a long shower/bath
6. In bed with a book and a cup of tea
7. Having a lie-in
8. Walking the dog
9. On the beach with a drink your hand
10. Out for lunch
11. Meeting old friends
12. A night in with a takeaway
13. Afternoon tea with family or friends
14. Out on a romantic meal for two
15. Cooking/baking in the kitchen
16. In the pub
17. In a coffee shop
18. In the cinema
19. Having my finances in order
20. Shopping
21. Swimming
22. A pool with a cocktail in hand
23. Going for a drive
24. Binge watching a box set
25. Sunday morning with a paper and a brew
26. Cuddled up with kids on the sofa
27. Afternoon In the spa
28. Among the shelves of a local bookstore or library
29. Cycling
30. On the phone to family/friends
31. Relaxing after the kids have gone to bed
32. Sitting in the corner of the sofa
33. At an airport waiting to go on holiday
34. Online shopping
35. A visit to a museum
36. Running
37. Out taking photographs
38. Playing video games
39. Doing art
40. Morning yoga or meditation
41. At a gig
42. Down at the allotment
43. Playing a sport
44. At the gym
45. Paying in to my savings accounts
46. Camping/caravanning
47. Quiz night with friends
48. Visiting long distance family
49. Playing an instrument
50. On a Staycation
ENDS
