Most residents happy in Dubai

DUBAI // Relaxing and exercising at least twice a week, a balanced diet and strong family and friend structures are key factors in the overall health and happiness of Dubai residents, a YouGov study found.

Researchers asked more than 500 Dubai residents about various lifestyle factors including smoking, sleep, enjoyment and impatience. About 40 per cent reported that they usually exercised for at least 30 minutes twice a week and 45 per cent said they ate balanced meals.

However, smoking is still a difficult habit to quit, with just 38 per cent saying they did not smoke cigarettes or shisha.

Fifty-two per cent of people in Dubai said they enjoyed their work- life daily routine compared with 38 per cent in Cairo and 41 per cent in Riyadh, which were also surveyed.

The overall urban health and happiness scores placed Dubai just ahead at 62 per cent, followed closely by Cairo at 59 per cent and Riyadh at 58 per cent.

On the sleep chart, Cairo residents got more shut-eye, with 50 per cent saying they frequently slept 7 to 8 hours at least four nights a week, compared with 46 per cent in Dubai and 44 per cent in Riyadh.

A strong family and friend support network was also important in Dubai, with 60 per cent reporting they had people they could rely on. Impatience was viewed as one of the biggest threats to one’s ability to lead a happy and healthy lifestyle.

Only 36 per cent in Dubai, 32 per cent in Cairo and 31 per cent in Riyadh said they did not always get impatient when delayed.