A warm hug is the number one thing that helps Britons feel happier, poll claims

A warm hug, seeing the sun shine and old people holding hands are among the top 40 little things guaranteed to make us feel “super”, according to a poll.

The smell of a cake being baked, bumping into a friend unexpectedly and remembering you have got freshly washed sheets on the bed also appeared on the list.

Listening to uplifting music will improve the mood of three in 10 Britons while 20 per cent will turn to a big bar of chocolate.

It also emerged for more than half of those polled, “feeling super” means having a small moment of pure joy, no matter how fleeting.

But a third believe it comes when they do good for others, and know they are helping.

The survey was conducted by Procter & Gamble to mark the #FeelSuper campaign with Superdrug in aid of Marie Curie, which has raised £570,000 for the charity since it’s launch in 2015.

This year, #FeelSuper ambassadors Frankie Bridge and Marvin Humes are launching the campaign’s first ever charity song which celebrates the everyday little things that really make a difference.

Hannah Drew, P&G customer and consumer brand manager UK and Ireland 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.”

The study also found more than a third of those who have had someone close to them suffer from terminal illness have found happiness in playing their favourite music playlist.

And half of these respondents said a great song makes them “feel super” because it reminds them of a happy memory.

It is not just music though, a quarter of the nation believe seeing a baby’s smile is enough to put one on their own face, and 28 per cent love being tucked under a warm blanket when it is cold and wet outside.

More than one in 10 Britons also love it when a social event they secretly did not want to go to gets cancelled, freeing up their time.

And 10 per cent feel happier when taking a whiff of their favourite shampoo or hair conditioner.

The survey, commissioned by OnePoll.com, also found that in a typical week, Britons think they encounter something which changes their mood for the better once per day.

But they will need these to combat the eight days a month they would describe as being simply “bad days”.

And the most popular ways we have of making other people feel super include simply paying them a compliment or making a cup of tea.

Annie Wade, a Marie Curie nurse who features on the #FeelSuper song said: “The #FeelSuper song makes us all recognise how important it is to celebrate the little moments in life – 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 the small things that make the 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 are just a few of the things I do to try and give much needed comfort and support to patients and their loved ones.”

Marvin Humes added: “It’s all about the people that make a difference – the Marie Curie nurses, volunteers and staff.

“The #FeelSuper 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 and support them.

“It’s all pretty easy – just by heading into Superdrug stores or online or listening to this amazing song you can give someone else the opportunity to feel super because all the donations really count.”

The top 40 things guaranteed to make Britons “feel super”:

1. A hug

2. The sun shinning

3. Freshly washed sheets

4. Hearing someone say they love you

5. Reading a good book

6. Getting a compliment from someone

7. Listening to uplifting music

8. Solving a problem

9. Being tucked under a blanket when it is cold and wet outside

10. Seeing a close friend after a long while

11. A smiling baby

12. Your favourite song coming on the radio

13. Having someone supportive to talk to

14. A hot shower

15. A hot cup of tea

16. 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. The smell of a cake being baked

23. Having a home-cooked meal after being away from home for a while

24. Seeing others having fun or laughing

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

29. Going to an exercise class or doing exercise

30. Retail therapy

31. Tucking into a slice of sponge cake

32. Listening to a favourite dance tune

33. Someone helping with the cleaning

34. Wearing your favourite outfit

35. Being offered a biscuit or favourite treat

36. Being told you do not 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

South West News Service