After a lonely and separated 2020 due to COVID, Britons reported feeling most content when spending time with loved ones, having a cup of tea,  and sleeping, a survey has found.

Others feel content when laughing, having a clean and tidy house and spending time with their furry friends. 

Tucking into baked goods, having dinner cooking in the oven and simply finishing work on time also feature in the top 50 list. It also emerged more than half of those polled admitted to needing comfort more than ever this year, with many  feeling that the last 12 months have been mentally tough. 

Paulina Gorska, from Schulstad Bakery Solutions, which commissioned the research, said: “This year has been one of the hardest many of us have ever faced.

“And in a time of turmoil and uncertainty, we turn to comfort and want to spend time doing things which leave us feeling content, happy and able to forget about the real world for a little bit.”

Psychologist and author of The Little Book of Happiness, Miriam Akhtar, said: “This survey reflects what we have seen over the course of the pandemic.

“When stress levels rise, people’s need for a sense of peace grows and we return to the simple, meaningful activities of life like hanging out with loved ones or engaging in absorbing hobbies and crafts.”