Brits need three positive morning moments to set them up for a good day, including a proper family breakfast, reading something funny – and waking up to a lovely message. A study of 2,000 adults revealed the top 25 things that brighten their day, and keep them in a positive frame of mind until evening.
Other morning mood boosters include looking forward to things planned for later – like a lunch with a colleague, an evening catch-up with a friend, or playing a team sport.
And three-quarters said these little positive thoughts and events help diffuse the bits of the day that get them down – such as worries about family members (47 percent), financial concerns (47 percent), and not feeling like they belong to their community (27 percent).
Meanwhile, 22 percent said what they see or hear about world events can also really impact their ability to be positive.
David Horne, managing director at London North Eastern Railway (LNER), which commissioned the research to mark its five-year partnership with suicide prevention charity, Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), said: “Our research shows it only takes a few moments to set people up for a brighter day.
“The biggest contributors are acts of kindness, friendship, and a sense of community.
“We want to help the nation connect and belong – so, in addition to the newly-named Azuma train, “You Belong”, travelling the length of the country, we’ve launched the “News Against Living Miserably” news stand at Newcastle Central Station, to showcase inspiring stories and raise further awareness about the vital work being done by CALM.”
The study also found Brits typically wake up in a negative mood an average of twice a week – with only a third believing themselves to be a “morning person”.
And it takes an average of 24 minutes after waking for them to decide if they’re going to have a good day or a bad day.
Factors such as how they slept (49 percent), how well they’re feeling (44 percent), and what’s on their to-do list (26 percent) also contribute to their ability to be positive.
But 67 percent reckon it’s easier to have a good day overall, if the day started off on the right track.
And 51 percent feel it only takes the smallest thing to tip their mood into being more positive or more negative.
As such, those polled, via OnePoll.com, said receiving a compliment, a cuddle with a pet, or a friendly chat with a stranger, can keep them in a positive frame of mind as the day commences.
It also emerged that if 49 percent had a bad start to the day, they’d be likely to tackle it head-on by taking measures to keep the blues away.
These include making a cup of tea or coffee, listening to an up-beat music track or podcast, and reading an uplifting news story to make them smile.
But of those who wouldn’t bother trying to improve a day that had started badly, an optimistic 48 percent just hope for the day to improve naturally.
When it comes to feeling positive generally, 44 percent think getting involved in, and feeling a part of, their local community would help.
However, 38 percent sometimes feel as though they’re “not a part of anything”, and one in five feel no-one “gets” them.
Dipika Saggi, from CALM, said: “Sometimes the things life throws at us can make us feel a bit miserable – but as this research shows, sometimes simple, small gestures or actions can help us get through the day, and give our mood a boost.
“So send your mate that meme to make them smile, belt out your favourite song in the shower, or make time for a proper good brew.
“No-one should feel alone in their struggles, so find what works for you – chat to a mate, find professional support, or get help from CALM.”
