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Less than 2.5 percent thought job security automatically ensured a happy life. And only 1 percent thought owning their own home made them happiest. Instead, over one third of people in Britain say a close family is the most important factor in their happiness stakes.

Over a quarter of the people surveyed by tickbox.net thought their years from birth to the age of seven had been the happiest years of their life. But a third of those polled would choose to re-live the years between 18 to 24.

Life coach Denise Mortimer said: ‘While childhood might be the happiest, carefree time we can recall, our late teens and early twenties are generally packed with excitement and adventure. It’s a rollercoaster time of life frequently providing our first taste of independence. Though these experiences don’t always make us happy, they do teach important lessons and help us to create meaning in our lives.’

Putting on weight is our biggest worry – nearly half of those surveyed said they were concerned about their growing girth. ‘From conception, nutrition dictates how our bodies grow and perform, influencing our internal and external ageing,’ said Denise. ‘Good health, both physical and mental, is integral to our happiness, and we can see from the survey that 90 percent of people already realise that diet and lifestyle can help alleviate stress and reduce the risk of developing debilitating or life-limiting illnesses.’