The best years of a man’s life are when he’s young, footloose and fancy free without a care in the world right? Wrong. According, to new research Brit blokes are actually happiest at 37.
Health on Female First
The study by menswear brand Jacamo revealed that men feel happiest just short of their fortieth year, at 37. It is the period in their life when they are likely to have settled down with a partner, become a father and have an established group of close mates.
And while researchers have struggled to pinpoint the secret to a female’s happiness, it seems it’s the little things in life that keeps men content with one in three admitting that tucking into their favourite lunch makes their day.
The Jacamo research also found that one in four men admit that splurging on themselves – on items such as DVDs, clothes and new technology – puts a big smile on their faces, busting the myth that women are the ones who love to shop.
Spending quality time hanging out with a mate and having an ‘innocent’ flirt also topped the list of the small things that make men happy every day. Having a nice brew came in fifth with one in four saying a hot cuppa perked them up, whereas being surprised by the women in their life with their favourite home cooked meal came in sixth.
Ten day-to-day things that put a smile on his face
- Eating a favourite lunch (29 per cent)
- Self gifting DVDs, clothes and technology (28 per cent)
- Hanging out with friends (27 per cent)
- An innocent flirt (26 per cent)
- A decent tea/coffee (22 per cent)
- A surprise dinner from a woman in his life (20 per cent)
- Having time to read the news (11 per cent)
- Getting a new top score on a computer game/app (8 per cent)
- Receiving a text (5 per cent)
- Catching up with friends via social media (3 per cent)
And when it comes to the big events in a man’s life, almost half say that the most significant occasion is becoming a father, topping the poll with 43 per cent of the votes. The Jacamo research shows Brit blokes are also big romantics at heart, with getting married coming in a close second and getting engaged coming in fifth.
Top moments in his life
- Becoming a parent (43 per cent)
- Getting married (35 per cent)
- Seeing his favourite sports team winning the league (18 per cent)
- Buying a new house (17 per cent)
- Seeing a country sports team win a significant title (14 per cent)
- Proposing to a partner (13 per cent)
- Graduating/finishing full time education (9 per cent)
- Buying a new car (7 per cent)
Lucy Dobson, Marketing Manager for Jacamo said: “It’s great to see that becoming a father and getting married is the key to men’s lasting happiness. And when it comes to day-to-day activities which bring happiness, nothing beats a decent lunch followed by a splurge on some new clothes.”
Taryn Davies
Tagged in Mens Health Happy