Many Australians enjoying GFC, says happiness survey
Thu Sep 24 05:08:00 EST 2009
Wed Sep 23 19:08:00 UTC 2009
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PERTH, Sept 24 AAP - Australians have coped with the economic slowdown by staying home, chilling out and saving money - and we're all the happier for it.
That's the finding of the second annual happiness survey by marketing research consultancy The Leading Edge.
Based on a survey of 1,500 people aged between 18 and 74, the study found a more relaxed lifestyle and a higher level of happiness overall were spin-offs of the global financial crisis (GFC).
And greater numbers of women than men are enjoying the slower pace of life.
Not only did women find more happiness in a wider range of activities, but they also experienced a greater increase in their happiness overall, the survey found.
Women recorded a nine per cent increase on last year's "happiness index", with 32.9 per cent in the "happy" group.
Men reported a five per cent increase to 27.9 per cent.
"The more positive attitude of women generally was evident in that women found the same or a greater level of happiness than men in everything except sex, the internet, drinking with mates and watching or playing competitive sport," said The Leading Edge director of client consulting Seonaid Anderson.
Ms Anderson said 2009 was a year when people looked less to their family and friends for their happiness, and more to themselves.
People found happiness "in relaxing, saving money, a little body pampering and receiving gifts".
"This year has turned out to be the year when Australians rediscovered the joy of being alone, of taking time out from the rat race of life and just appreciating the peace and quiet of sitting still, either having a massage, watching the tele or surfing the internet," Ms Anderson said.
"Rather than put a dampener on our happiness, the GFC caused us to slow down, go out less, spend less - and find that we actually enjoyed life a little more."
Surprisingly, almost everyone found less joy in the bedroom in 2009. The number of respondents saying they found happiness in sex slipped four per cent from 43 per cent in last year's survey.
Only the 35-44 age group did not experience a decline in happiness from intimacy, the research found.
"We were possibly too tired for more sex, or more time with the kids, or more time with our friends," Ms Anderson said.
"Instead, we learnt to find happiness in the smaller things in life and to get back in touch with ourselves."
Ms Anderson said the survey showed that Gen Y, people born from the late 70s to late 90s, had made the greatest adjustment to their lifestyle as a result of the GFC.
Cutting back on nights out drinking, socialising with friends and buying household goods, they had become a generation of couch potatoes.
Almost three quarters of Gen Yers reported finding happiness in watching TV, eating chocolates, biscuits, pizzas and other comfort food, while more than half found happiness surfing the internet.
They did get more enjoyment from pets and from reading, but only 38 per cent found happiness in being physically active.
