Finding a ten pound note in an old pair of jeans and being told you've lost weight are among life's greatest pleasure triggers, it emerged yesterday.
A study of 3,000 adults revealed simple pleasures such as getting into a bed with freshly washed sheets and seeing an old couple holding hands also help to brighten our day.
Sunshine was found to be largely responsible for our good mood - such as waking up to a sunny day, sitting in the sun, having a picnic in the sun, and driving with the car windows down on a sunny day all appearing in the top 20.
Other happy moments include being surprised with flowers or chocolates, getting a nice message or cuddle from a loved one, or getting a thank you card in the post.
Unfortunately for many, the hustle and bustle of everyday life means the average person is only happy for half the week.
A spokesman for Three Barrels Brandy, who conducted the research of the top 50 things which make people happy, said: "It would seem that despite not feeling entirely happy for three out of seven days of the week, it doesn't take much to lift our spirits.
"We can be having a terrible day at work, snowed under a pile of work, when a quick thank you from the boss can pick us up and make us feel great.
"Similarly, we could be stuck in traffic, when our favourite song comes on the radio and makes us forget about the nightmare daily commute.
"Small gestures from friends and family can also work wonders when you're feeling a bit down in the dumps."
The poll suggests being told you have lost weight or having a good hair day is enough to put people in a good mood.
Other happiness triggers include booking a new holiday, winning a tenner in the lottery, finding a bargain in the sales and being surprised with a romantic night out.
Food such as a traditional Sunday roast, a big slab of chocolate or a slice of cake also cheers folk up.
And simple things such as having a quiet moment to yourself, a walk in the country, hearing a baby laugh or smelling cut grass or baked bread can work wonders.
Many Brits appreciate generosity from others - warming to those who offer an elderly person a seat on the bus or train, and people who pass on their parking ticket in the car park.
Finding out your children have done well at school, swanky hotel rooms, landing at the holiday airport and snogging also appear in the top 50 things which make us happy.
The Three Barrels spokesman added: "It's great to see there are plenty of everyday occurrences and instances accessible to us all that have made the top 50.
''Simple things like the smell of freshly baked bread or cookies, friendships and listening to your favourite song make such a positive difference to the way we feel we should try and experience them more often. Personally putting my feet up with my other half and enjoying a drink at the end of a long day always makes me happy."
The findings show 38 per cent of people feel happier on a Saturday than any other day of the week, usually around 6 o'clock in the evening.
TOP 50 THINGS WHICH MAKE US HAPPY
- Finding a ten pound note in an old pair of jeans
- Going on holiday
- Getting into bed with freshly washed sheets
- Swimming in the sea
- Waking up on a sunny day
- Sitting in the sun
- Being surprised with flowers or chocolates
- Getting a nice message from a loved one
- Cuddles
- Getting a thank you card in the post
- Old people holding hands
- Driving a car with the window down on a sunny day
- Winning a tenner on the lottery
- Booking a new holiday
- Listening to your favourite song
- Finding a bargain in the sales
- Seeing an old friend
- Picnic in the park on a sunny day
- Getting a promotion at work
- Being treated to a romantic night out
- Hearing a song that reminds you of your past
- Looking back at old photographs
- Making a new friend
- Getting a quiet moment to myself
- Walks in the country
- Hearing a baby laugh
- Having a girlie / lads night out
- Waking on up on a Saturday morning and realising it's the weekend
- Chocolate
- Eating a cake
- Fitting into an old pair of jeans you thought were too small
- Getting praise from your boss after working hard on something
- The smell of freshly baked bread or cookies
- A warm bubble bath at the end of a stressful day
- Someone telling you you've lost weight
- Finding out someone likes you
- Sunday dinners
- The Smell of cut grass
- Landing at the holiday airport
- A good hair day
- Bank holidays
- Passing a driving test
- Swanky hotel rooms
- Finding out your children have done well at school
- Someone offering an elderly person their seat on the bus or train
- Someone giving you their car parking ticket when you arrive in the car park
- Waking up to find out it has snowed overnight
- Drinking a cold beer after work
- Eating comfort food
- Snogging
