- Women are happier with aspects of their life such as love, sex and family
- The average Briton rates their level of happiness at 64 per cent
- Being married and over 55 also increases satisfaction with life
- Lack of money makes us most depressed, as does bad weatherÂ
By
Anna Hodgekiss
10:58 EST, 5 April 2013
|
11:01 EST, 5 April 2013
Just looked in the mirror? Men experience higher levels of happiness life, particularly when it comes to appearance and body shape
Men are generally happier in life than women, particularly when it comes to their appearance, new research has found.
A detailed study into 12 aspects of modern life found men experience higher levels of happiness in seven of them, including salary, appearance and body shape.
Women’s scores were higher than men in the love life, family life and sex life categories.
Overall, the average adult rates their current happiness level at an encouraging 64 per cent.
The study, commissioned by Benenden Health, also found the typical woman’s happiness scored highly in general health and their living location.
Other areas in which men emerged as happier than the opposite sex were career prospects, ‘how other people see you’, finances and job security.
The nation’s mood emerged amid a detailed study which initially asked people to opt for ‘cup half full’ or ‘cup half empty’ and then examined the reasoning behind their decision.
And the results claim to have settled the age-old debate around the popular saying, with six in ten people claiming they adopt a positive outlook overall.
The biggest barrier to feeling content in day-to-day life was money worries, which affected 46 per cent of respondents.
In fact, it would take just £132 extra a month for the average person to make ends meet and dramatically improve their overall happiness.
The researchers say this proves it’s not just a big windfall that would help increase the average person’s outlook on life, but in fact a relatively modest sum.
WHAT MAKES US HAPPY?
MEN
Salary
Career prospects       Â
Current body shape/ weight
Appearance  Â
How other people see you
Your finances overall
Job security
WOMEN
Love life       Â
Family life    Â
Sex life         Â
Health
Living location
Unsurprisingly, those questioned said better weather would improve their mood – and would be the thing most likely to raise their optimism day to day, along with receiving more affection from a partner.
Eating a better diet, a job that is more satisfying and finally shaking a long term injury or illness all featured in the top 10 wishes for a brighter outlook.
More reassurance from the boss, spending more time with family and good performance from sports teams also featured in the list.
One of the more bizarre findings was that a third of people studied would be more optimistic in life if their partner showed them more commitment.
And, perhaps contrary to popular belief, getting hitched seems to do wonders for a brighter perspective on life with married people rating significantly happier than singles in almost all categories.
Despite this, one fifth couples said they had actually become less optimistic in life since getting married.
When looking forwards the study was split 50/50 between those who thought they had good reason to be positive and those searching for reasons to be optimistic about their life.
However, there was a clear trend towards happiness growing with age – over 55s proved the most likely to rate themselves as an eternal optimist.
The biggest barrier to feeling content in day-to-day life was money worries, which affected 46 per cent of respondents
Interestingly, the younger generation seemed less upbeat overall and were most likely to say their outlook has become gloomier in recent times.
This trend rises directly with age, with the under 25s most likely to say their perspective on life has become more negative and the over 55s least likely to feel their optimism has declined.
The study also found despite the
lingering economic doom, soaring cost of living and stagnant housing
market the majority of us have adopted a Monty Python-style ‘Always look
on the bright side of life’ attitude.
Paul Keenan of Benenden Health, which
commissioned the report, said: ‘Given the pessimistic economic outlook,
the financial restraints everyone is under and the grim weather, it’s
good to discover deep down, there seems to be a positive and
forward-looking attitude across Britain.
‘Certainly, a positive attitude goes a
long way towards creating a feeling of well-being which in turn can
only be good for our long term health.
‘This doesn’t detract from the fact
many families have real difficulties and struggles to face in the
current economic climate – but perhaps serves to demonstrate the British
“stiff upper lip†is alive and well in the 21st century.’
He added: ‘It’s interesting to see men are more likely to adopt a more upbeat view overall – although that particular finding is likely to be a debate that will rumble on and on.’
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As a woman, the following matters to me: Salary, Career prospects, finances overall, Job security health.
Ann
,
San Francisco, United States,
05/4/2013 23:11
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that’s because tthey don’t take a look at themselves in the mirror as often as women.
Claudia
,
Lisbon, Portugal,
05/4/2013 23:10
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So men dont want a sex-life then? Obviously written by a woman then. (just checking and indeed it was).
George
,
London, United Kingdom,
05/4/2013 22:58
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Thats because men are not judged. you see a man with a fat stomach, bald and no one says a thing. A fat woman is sneered at laughed at and made to feel useless.
– idealworld, Warks, 5/4/2013 22:28….What a load of rubbish. Try being a short man – say 5ft 5ins or less – and you’ll soon get sick of being judged by women.
The Realist
,
Out West,
05/4/2013 22:57
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Is it because so many women act like lads and are obese?
white van man
,
salisbury, United Kingdom,
05/4/2013 22:51
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Oh dear. Most men are undeniabley ugly but think they are gorgeous (the really gorgeous men are full of self doubt)
Anyway, these ugly (think they are gorgeous) men,are the ones who are most vociferous as to how a woman should look and behave (Stepford wife meets Jordan meets Nigella)
Men who genuinely LIKE women are the sexiest of all. Ask any woman.
Laura
,
Windermere United Kingdom,
05/4/2013 22:48
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On the down side men do die earlier than women.That’s because women don’t have wives.
Clemmo
,
Doncaster, United Kingdom,
05/4/2013 22:47
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So the pic shows a hot young gyy again a older moody looking lady. Not quite fair is it lol
Jen
,
Kent,
05/4/2013 22:47
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You are kidding, most of the blokes I have dated were VERY insecure about their bodies
So much so that it got tedious trying to make them feel better, so this is crap.
mystic
,
aberdeen,
05/4/2013 22:39
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It’s not them the media pressurises.
Speaking common sense
,
London,
05/4/2013 22:38
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