People in Britain are most content at the age of 58, a study revealed yesterday.
Researchers found that instead of becoming more grumpy with age, we actually become happier with our late 50s as the time we are most happy and content with life.
This is also the age when we are most likely to take a lunch break, work our contracted hours and be satisfied with our work/life balance.
The study of 2000 people, commissioned to mark the launch of the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 handset, also revealed 35 is the age you can expect to feel most stressed.
Ines van Gennip, Marketing Director said: ‘’It seems the old adage of ‘good things come to those who wait’ is true, at least in life, with those aged in their 50s likely to be the most content.
‘’In our fast-paced busy lives, finding the balance between work and life has never been harder so make the most of the time you have by being really organised.”
The study found the age of contentment to be 58, with 79 per cent of respondents in this age group feeling satisfied with their current work/life balance.
Another 72 per cent rate their lifestyle as good or very good.
Those aged 58 are also more likely to take a proper lunch hour – three quarters compared to just 66 per cent of other workers.
They also stick to their contracted hours with 45 per cent saying they never work overtime, compared to just 28 per cent of those under 50.
But researchers found 35 is when our stress levels are at their peak with a third of this age group always or regularly stressed, compared to just 26 per cent of other ages.
The pressure of having children and a demanding job are among the top stress triggers, along with having little time to see friends and keep on top of household chores.
Professor Cary Cooper, from the University of Lancaster, added: ‘’The results of the research show an interesting contrast between our thirties and our fifties.
‘’It’s little wonder that our 30s are so stressful as we try – sometimes desperately – to juggle high pressure jobs and family demands whilst maintaining happy relationships.
‘’And then by the time we reach our fifties we feel much more confident, allowing us to set the agenda when it comes to working hours and family life.
‘’It is also interesting to note that spending time with family and being in a happy relationship score most highly in making us feel happy, while money is the top source of stress.’’
Researchers also found that, generally, a third of Brits are unsatisfied with their current work/life balance, while half think their lifestyle could be better.
Almost half cite financial pressures as their main stress followed by having a demanding job, moving house, worries about their health and worries about their weight.
But spending time with family and being in a job you love were named as key ingredients for a happy and balanced lifestyle.
Being in a happy relationship, financial security and feeling appreciated at home will also lead to contentment.
However, career success is deemed much less important than doing a job you love.
Top ten stressors
1 Financial pressures (49 per cent)
2 Having a demanding job (21 per cent)
3 Moving House (19 per cent)
4 Worries about your health (16 per cent)
5 Worries about weight (15 per cent)
6 Having children (14 per cent)
7 Feeling guilty about lack of time for work/ friends/ family (13 per cent)
8 Juggling childcare and work (12 per cent)
9 Working with people you don’t get on with (12 per cent)
10 Arguments at home (11 per cent)
Top ten keys to contentment
1 Spending time with family (63 per cent)
2 Doing a job you love (54 per cent)
3 Being in a happy relationship (53 per cent)
4 Financial security (51 per cent)
5 Feeling appreciated at home (46 per cent)
6 Laughing daily (45 per cent)
7 Feeling appreciated at work (44 per cent)
8 Enjoying holidays (42 per cent)
9 Spending time with friends (36 per cent)
10 Working with people you like (33 per cent)
Do you agree that you are happier now than when you were in your 30s? Or are you still under pressure from the stresses identified? Ed
