Happiness is... sunshine and a freshly made bed

WE often hear that it is actually the simplest things in life that are the best.

And it seems to be true, with sleeping in a bed which is freshly made coming top in a list of things that make us feel great.

Almost two-thirds of the 2,000 people asked said that the feeling of fresh sheets was one of their f avourite f eel- good moments.

Second up was feeling the sun on your face, which 57 per cent of people chose, while third place went to people saying

‘Feeling the sun on your face’

‘thank you’ or a random act of kindness by a stranger.

The survey, commissioned by Bupa, found favourites included a bargain at the sales – mentioned by four in ten – or having a nice cup of tea, which 39 per cent of people listed.

The top 50 also contained rainbows, popping bubble wrap and dancing like no one is watching.

Meanwhile, 11 per cent of people enjoy having new stationery while one in ten are made happy by the ‘pop’ of opening a new jam jar.

However, the survey – for the launch of Bupa’s Feel Great Britain campaign – also revealed a trend for how rarely people have moments where they feel great.

Just one in eight said they have a ‘feel great’ moment more than once a month and almost one in five lacked inspiration.

Dr Paula Franklin, UK medical director at Bupa, said: ‘ People seem to find it easy to name the things that make them feel great, but unfortunately people don’t r eport very many f eel great moments. Feeling great can really help people improve their health and well-being. As a nation, we could do a lot more for our mind, body and soul.’

Stress was the top reason given for not feeling great, with nearly two-thirds suffering, while lack of sleep and bad manners were mentioned by more than half of those people surveyed.

The findings also suggest that feeling great occurs more often later in life, with 21 per cent of those aged over 55 saying they have a moment where they feel great every day. However, 28 per cent of 25 to 34-year- olds and three in ten 45 to 54-year-olds have a feel great moment only once a week.

Strictly Come Dancing presenter and Bupa ambassador Tess Daly said that the thing that made her feel best was ‘feeling the sun on my face’.