Date: Embargoed Until 01 May 2015 

It's official: May is the happiest month!

HIgh resolution image for download 

The month of the year in which most people are happiest is May, because of the brighter blue skies, warmer temperatures, longer days and the blossom and renewal of spring according to a recent revealing survey.

Nearly 150 adults aged 18 to 74 participated in the study, which asked them to reflect on their own personal happiness over the course of the seasons and looked at times of the year when they were happier. Results showed that May, (followed by April) is the happiest month. Not one respondent felt January or February were the happiest.

Just over half of all respondents identified the clocks going forward as factor in in their experience of happiness, whilst two thirds identified brighter skies

The survey, which was conducted by wellbeing company Embodied Living assisted by AR Consulting, a research specialist, also looked at whatactivities people find effective in cheering themselves up when they feel a bit down or unhappy.

For men, having sex with their partner was top, closely followed by vigorous physical exercise. For women, going for a walk, chatting with friends or family, as well as listening to cheerful music or playing with a pet were most effective.

Both menandwomen rated reflecting on the good things in life, making a conscious effort to stop feeling unhappy and try to feel positive as well as setting realistic goals and planning ahead as effective in cheering themselves up.

Overall, 87 per cent of people said that for them there were happy times of the year, and this was closely associated with the quality of the light in spring and summer.

Sue Tupling, happiness guru, psychotherapist and MD of Embodied Living, said, "It makes sense that we feel happier in spring and summer, and May has so much to offer. Whilst most people agree there are happier times of the year, it's noticeable that people aged 55 to 64 do not agree with this, which might suggest that, as we get older our sense of happiness comes more from within.

"When it comes to what people can do to cheer themselves up, clearly sex is very important for men, who perhaps tend to be more comfortable expressing themselves and having their needs met physically rather than verbally. Both men and women said that, for them, consciously trying to be positive, tactics such as "appreciating the good things", "focusing on feeling positive" and "setting goals" could be effective.

"Happiness is transient: the sun doesn't shine all the time. But looking within ourselves can be a strategy to find lasting happiness."

- - - ENDS - --

Editor's Notes

About Sue Tupling

Sue runs Embodied Living, a psychotherapy, counselling and training company. She is also a British Wheel of Yoga qualified yoga teacher. Sue offers a depth of experience having previously been an executive trustee of the International Stress Management Association practised yoga and meditation for over 25 years. Sue has specialised in wellbeing and resilience over the last 10 years having completed her Masters level dissertation on the subject, worked individually with hundreds of people and trained several large local organisations on the topics. Over the last three years Sue has been interviewed several times on BBC Radio about the subject of happiness. She is currently launching a free online ‘Moodling' course - Emotional Wellbeing - offering 8 weeks of yoga and psychoeducation to help people with anxiety and depression who may not otherwise be able to access or afford such courses.

Media contact:

Sue Tupling

Embodied Living

t:  + 44 (0)843 178 1992

m: +44 (0)7411178380

e: sue@embodiedliving.co.uk