Do you have a touch of the seasonal blues? Never fear, because a new survey has revealed 25 fail-safe ways to naturally lift your mood, with a simple walk in nature coming top.
Hugs from loved ones, sunny skies and smiles from strangers are also guaranteed to make us feel tip top, according to the poll of 2,000 Brits. And the nation finds comfort in food, as 36 percent said a slice of cake was an INSTANT mood booster, while 31 percent feel a Sunday roast with all the trimmings makes them happy.
Getting into bed with clean sheets (41 percent), watching TV with your favourite snacks (39 percent), brewing the perfect cup of tea (36 percent) and receiving a hilarious meme (36 percent) also featured high.
A whopping 89 percent think that helping others is key to happiness, while one in three (30 percent) get a boost when someone does something kind for them, while a quarter (24 percent) say the ultimate pick me up is doing something to help others in need, like donating clothes to the charity shop (17 percent) or donating money to charity (13 percent).
The survey was commissioned by energy drink BOOST, who have teamed up with charity Re-engage to launch their Christmas Call Companion volunteer drive, where younger Brits can support lonely older people over the festive period, via companionship and weekly phone calls.
Anjna Mistry, Brand Leader at BOOST, commented, “It’s clear from the research that Brits are searching for small ways to get a boost of positivity, and nothing gives you a boost like helping others.”
Tom Oakes, Head of Growth at Re-engage added: “Many of the lonely older people we support say they love talking to someone who is younger. They can offer their own extensive life experience while learning about latest trends and fashions. It keeps them in touch with the world, which is vital for them.”
According to the survey of 2,000 Brits, the nation feels down an average of nine days a month with money worries (55 percent), the weather (42 percent), getting old (36 percent), health concerns (34 percent) and being trapped in the same routine (34 percent) the main pressure points.
90 percent of Brits say they have a range of ways to give themselves an instant boost, with over half (52 percent) finding joy in the smallest of things.
57 percent admit that life is so hard now that finding joy in the small things is imperative, while 26 percent say they need MORE pick-me-ups in the dark winter months.
The study also found that 35 percent believe that happiness is infectious with over half (52 percent) claiming that a smile can lift their mood. 30 percent think happy people are more attractive, than miserable ones.
BOOST & Re-engage’s Christmas Call Companion campaign is a telephone befriending service specifically designed for older people who are feeling lonely or in need of companionship over the festive period and is open to volunteers of all ages. Those interested in becoming a Christmas Call Companion for Re-engage can find more details and sign up here.
INSTANT MOOD BOOSTERS, ACCORDING TO BRITS
1. A glass of wine after a long day – 23%
2. A walk in nature – 49%
3. A hug from a loved one – 45%
4. Sunny skies – 43%
5. A smile from a stranger – 42%
6. Getting into bed with clean sheets – 41%
7. Watching TV with your favourite snacks – 39%
8. A slice of cake – 39%
9. The perfect cup of tea – 36%
10. Being sent a funny meme – 36%
11. Having your favourite meal for dinner – 34%
12. A perfectly tidy room – 32%
13. Your favourite film on TV – 32%
14. A Sunday roast with all the trimmings – 31%
15. Talking to family on the phone – 31%
16. Hearing your favourite song on the radio – 30%
17. Receiving a random act of kindness – 30%
18. Seeing someone with uncontrollable giggles – 28%
19. Being greeted by your dog – 28%
20. Your child saying they had a good day – 27%
21. Cooking while listening to music – 25%
22. An open fire in a pub – 25%
23. Finishing your to-do list – 25%
24. Getting all your washing done – 25%
25. Helping others in need – 24%
Research of 2,000 Brits was commissioned by BOOST and was conducted by Perspectus Global in October 2024.
