REVEALED: HOW HAPPY ARE BRITS IN 2021?

Brits have revealed what really makes them happy – including looking back at old photographs, getting the answers on a gameshow right, and even doing the cleaning.

Following the difficulty Brits have endured over the past year, household cleaning brand Marigold created The Happiness Index: a survey designed to find out exactly how happy Brits are feeling right now and what joy-filled activities are putting a smile on their face.

Marigold polled the nation to identify the top 50 things that never fail to put Brits in a good mood; revealing one in four love nothing more than sitting back to relax in a freshly-cleaned home.

Other joyful things in the top 50 include waking up and realising it’s the weekend, singing at the top of your voice when in the car alone, enjoying freshly washed sheets at the end of a long day, ‘hoover lines’ in the carpet and receiving a compliment. In true British fashion, happiness for some is simply found in a slice of cake (37 per cent) or a hot cup of tea (32 per cent)!

The research found that seven in ten adults believe happiness is ‘infectious’, and more than a third of us try to go out of our way to spread positivity. Nearly half (47 per cent) do this by smiling at strangers and 35 per cent regularly check in with friends and family; whilst more than one in five will always ask checkout assistants about their day.

It emerged that for almost half (45 per cent) of Brits, cleaning itself leaves them feeling happy, whilst 58 per cent get the same feeling from sorting through things and tidying. When the first lockdown was announced in the UK, Google searches for how to effectively clean at home sky-rocketed; increasing by a whopping 247%.[1] As soon as the ‘stay at home’ rule was announced, it was also reported that Brits were spending approximately two hours a day doing household tasks, compared to 30 minutes on keeping fit![2]

When it comes to the effect that mindful tasks, like cleaning, can have on our happiness levels, 71 per cent claimed that a clean and tidy home makes them feel ‘content’ and ‘happy’, while a further 21 per cent said it left them feeling ‘fulfilled’. Almost six in ten of us admit to even feeling a ‘cleaning high’ – a feeling of happiness from sitting down in a spotless home – which lasts approximately two-and-a-half hours. Tasks such as cleaning the kitchen, dusting and cleaning the windows all featured in the list of cleaning activities that make Brits the happiest.

TOP 10 CLEANING TASKS THAT BRING THE MOST HAPPINESS:

Clear outs
Tidying/putting things away
Vacuuming
Putting clothes out to dry
Cleaning the kitchen
Cleaning the bathroom
Cleaning my car
Dusting
Sorting through and cleaning the fridge/freezer
Cleaning windows
The research also revealed that Brits are most likely to be at their happiest on a Saturday, while Tuesday is the least happy day of the week – even worse than Monday. With 3:05pm found to be the start of the UK’s new ‘Happy Hour’, this provides even more of a reason to reach for a slice of cake and tea – or your cleaning gloves!

TV psychologist, Emma Kenny, shares her top tips and tricks on how Brits can reclaim and redefine this new ‘Happy Hour’, to make the most of the happiest part of the day:

Practice gratitude
“This is fantastic for raising the happiness index and is so simple to introduce to your everyday life. Before you go to bed on an evening, take the time to write down three things that you were grateful for, and one thing that you struggled with, but learnt from. This helps you to start thinking more positively, and allows you to live in a state of appreciation for the small wins and mini miracles that happen to you each and every day”

Grow more mindful
“Become more aware by practicing mindfulness on a daily basis. You could try a yoga stream, meditation, or simply go for a walk, making sure you leave your phone at home to enjoy that digital detox and embrace nature. These activities will really help you tune into the present moment, reducing your anxiety and stress levels”

Get organised

“Do this by creating a mental state of flow through cleaning and tidying your home, getting rid of all your unwanted clutter. Activities that achieve a goal, whilst also helping you to get on top of your day-to-day chores, can really help to have a positive impact on your mental state. When you focus on cleaning, hoovering, and wiping down surfaces, the rhythm of the movement can actually place us in a state of flow which is soothing and calming in nature”

Surround yourself with positive people

“Their energy and attitude is genuinely infectious. When you choose to be around people who inspire you, make you laugh, and remind you of the very best version of who you are, you automatically see your mood lift. Make sure that you plan regular time with those who bring out the best in you, and you’ll soon see your happiness levels soar”

Get your Marigolds on and crank up the tunes

“Research suggests that listening to uplifting trance, or cheesy pop can help to elevate your mood, and this is perfect for when you’re carrying out your favourite cleaning tasks. Whether you find yourself toe tapping, or fully busting a groove whilst washing up, the benefits of music are huge and have an impact on your brain’s neural pathways – you really are dancing yourself happy”

Carry out a random act of kindness for a stranger

“This won’t just make them happy, it will also mean that you benefit in the exchange too. When you do something nice for another human being, you realise the positive impact that you have on the world around you. Not only a very reinforcing experience on a self-worth level, but one that can also make a huge difference to the recipient of your kindness”

Be your own best friend for a day

“Treat yourself to some rest, recuperation and rewards. It can be so good to just kick back and relax on your sofa whilst eating a delicious treat and indulging in your favourite boxset. Once your house is spic and span and your life admin is sorted, allowing yourself some much-deserved indulgence will put a smile on your face”

Practice self-care

“This is key to contentment, so treat yourself to that manicure you’ve been eyeing up. Your Marigold gloves will keep your hands in tip top condition and ensure those nails remain perfectly protected – so you don’t have any excuses!”

Deep clean your home

“This activity has been found to be therapeutic and also has the added bonus of making every inch of your home smell and look fantastic. Even the action of preparing to get stuck in can give you a sense of pleasure and purpose, and you feel psychologically ready to take control and excited about the results you are about to achieve”

Strengthen family bonds

“If you want to build bonds with your immediate family, get them to help you with the washing up. Getting your partner to take charge so you can chat, laugh and catch up, or have your teen debrief you about their school day at the kitchen sink is a great way to make chores fun. Even better, side-to-side communication is excellent for encouraging conversations with deeper meaning”

Define your list of ‘happy’

“What brings you joy will be unique to you! Once you have written your list, encourage your immediate family to write theirs and then agree that you will each spend an hour a week together living one another’s happy hour. This is a fun way of spending family time, which can also lead to you finding new things that are simple and that bring you joy”

Emma Kenny further commented on the research, “It exemplifies the warm and giving nature of human beings who often find themselves increasing their happiness index because of the good deeds they do for others, as opposed to the treats they bestow upon themselves.

“It’s reassuring to see that 47% of us agree that, although it’s a simple action, something as small as a smile is a universal language which is infectious in nature. It can lift the mood, both on an individual and a wider society level.

“The small wins in life often make the biggest difference to our mental wellbeing. Things like getting organised with your life admin or making sure your home is clean and tidy can really help us feel in control of our world, giving an inner sense of peace and calm.

“Whilst everyone experiences happiness in a unique and subjective way, the fact that most people agree that there are many day-to-day simple activities that can enhance personal feelings of wellbeing is encouraging. As life once again returns to normal, this is a reminder of the power we all have to be a positive influence to those we come into contact with on a daily basis.”