Brits say Chocolate is a better mood-booster than going to the pub

Life feels pretty tough right now from moving on from the disappointment of the UK's "wettest summer" to the ongoing cost of living crisis, so we have to take the little pockets of joy when we can.

From enjoying a hot cup of tea, to ticking everything off your to-do list and getting a smile from a stranger, new research has revealed the top instant mood-boosters that can really brighten our day.

Topping the list, perhaps unsurprisingly given our love of the brown stuff, is enjoying a piece of chocolate, with 42% claiming it gives them an instant lift.

This is closely followed by sipping a nice cup of tea, which over a third (36%) saying it puts them on a high.

Interestingly, meeting friends in the pub for a drink only came in third place in terms of putting a smile on our faces, with 29% claiming it lifts their mood.

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Treating yourself to a takeaway is another little win, coming in fourth spot in the mood-boosting list, while getting through your must-do list also proved to give a happiness high.

Enjoying a biscuit (perhaps with your cuppa), smiles from strangers (22%) and realising you've got an empty washing machine (22%) are other everyday ways to bring joy.

Other pick-me-ups include a long soak in the bath (22%), getting your hair done (21%) and being brought tea and toast in bed (18%).

Meanwhile, it seems having a laugh is also pretty healing when it comes to lifting the mood, with 16% of those polled turning to funny memes to brighten their day.

More surprising joy bringers include watching your rubbish being collected on bin day, which 5% are fans of, and the totally British 4% who like nothing more than seeing an orderly queue form.

Turns out that the majority of Brits (57%) agree that it’s the small things in life that boost their mood.

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In fact, 83% have a go-to method of instantly cheering themselves up, which is good because the survey, of 2,000 people by Tetley, also revealed that a whopping 91% of Brits admit they often or sometimes feel blue.

And almost half of us (44%) say we're feeling more down than we did three years ago, with money worries (63%), family pressures (39%) and busy lives (29%) all contributing.

Watch: Simple tips for 'resetting' an anxious mind

The trouble is that amidst this everyday anguish we're also struggling to relax, with over half of us 52% of those polled saying they can't unwind and over three quarters (79%) wishing they had time to do the simple things in life that make them happy.

Commenting on the findings, the former Lionness says: "Supporting each other is so important. We all need to take a moment to focus on what matters most and show our appreciation for our loved ones."

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Brits' top 20 mood-boosters

1. A piece of chocolate 42%

2. A cup of tea 36%

3. Meeting friends in the pub 29%

4. Takeaways 26%

5. Finishing your to-do-list 24%

6. A biscuit 23%

7. A smile from a stranger 22%

8. Getting all your washing done 22%

9. A soak in the tub 22%

10. Getting your hair done 21%

11. Being brought tea and toast in bed 18%

12. A cold beer after a long day 17%

13. A chat with your mum 17%

14. A fully stocked fridge 17%

15. Funny memes 16%

16. A text from someone you fancy 15%

17. Closing your laptop at the end of the day 11%

18. Watching your rubbish being collected on bin day 5%

19. Seeing an orderly queue 4%

20. The theme tune for the Antiques Roadshow 4%