Hugs, sunshine, clean sheets...40 little things to make us feel super
A WARM hug, seeing the sun shine and old people holding hands are among the top 40 little things guaranteed to make our day, a study has revealed.
The smell of a cake baking, bumping into a friend and remembering there are freshly washed sheets on the bed are other moments that give us a lift.
A baby’s smile is enough to put a grin on one in four Britons’ faces while listening to uplifting music brings cheer to three in 10.
One in five of us turn to chocolate to lift our mood, but a third believe true joy comes from doing a good deed for others.
The study was carried out by OnePoll.com for Superdrug and Procter & Gamble, whose #FeelSuper campaign raises money for the Marie Curie cancer charity.
The Saturdays singer Frankie Bridge alongside radio host and former JLS star DF Marvin Humes are launching the campaign’s first charity song, The #FeelSuper Song, which celebrates the little everyday things
LIFE’S SIMPLE PLEASURES
A hug Sun shining Freshly laundered sheets Hearing someone say they love you Reading a good book Getting a compliment Listening to uplifting music Solving a problem Being under a blanket when it’s cold and wet outside Seeing a close friend after a long while A smiling baby Your favourite song coming on the radio Having someone supportive to talk to A hot shower A cup of tea Watching your favourite TV show/film with someone 17 A proper cup of coffee 18 Starting a new series of your
favourite TV show 19 Eating a big bar of chocolate 20 A haircut 21 Dining at your favourite restaurant 22 Smell of cake being baked 23 A home-cooked meal after being away 24 Seeing others having fun 25 Bumping into a friend 26 Freshly washed hair 27 Old people holding hands 28 A social event you secretly didn’t want to attend being cancelled Going to an exercise class/doing exercise 30 Retail therapy 31 Tucking into a lush slice of sponge cake Listening to a favourite dance tune Someone helping with the cleaning Wearing your favourite outfit Being offered a biscuit or favourite treat 36 Being told you don’t have to cook tonight 37 Your favourite artist releasing
new music 38 Hearing a new joke 39 A gin and tonic 40 Catching green lights all the way to work that make a difference. Hannah Drew, for P&G, said: “By giving people a special ‘feel super moment’ through this song, we are hoping to inspire even more involvement and drive further donations to raise as much as possible for the vital services Marie Curie provides.”
Celebrate
The study found that more than a third of those who have had someone close to them suffer a terminal illness found happiness in playing their favourite music playlist.
Half of these respondents said a great song makes them “feel super” because it reminds them of a happy memory.
Annie Wade, a Marie Curie nurse who features on The #FeelSuper Song, said: “The song makes us all recognise how important it is to celebrate the little moments in life. It is something I know first-hand as a Marie Curie nurse.
“We provide palliative care as well as much-needed physical and emotional support to families across the country 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
“But so often it really is small things that make biggest difference.
“Making a cup of tea for a family member in the middle of night, playing a patient one of their favourite songs or just sitting with them so that they know someone is there with them.
“These are just a few of the things I do to try to give muchneeded comfort and support to patients and their loved ones.”
Mr Humes added: “It is all about the people that make a difference – the Marie Curie nurses, volunteers and staff.
“The song embodies what we are trying to do here – celebrate the people that are on the ground, making a difference every day, and inspire the rest of us to do our bit to support them.” the the