When it comes to being shiny happy people, there aren’t too many of us who would put the Irish nation as a whole atop a positivity list. However, it seems we’re far from the nation of begrudgers we’re sometimes made out to be, (mostly by ourselves it must be said).

In fact, we are quite a positive nation, at least according to a new survey. The research into our outlook on life, which was carried out to launch Lloyds Pharmacies in Ireland, reveals that 86% of Irish people claim to be a ‘glass half full’ type of person and over half (59%) say they feel happy when they wake up each morning.

According to the survey, over a third of us (34%) live by the mantra ‘always look on the bright side of life’ and over three quarters (79%) say that having a positive attitude helps them enjoy life more. Half say they believe that a positive outlook can improve your health and wellbeing, while 19% say that thinking positively has benefited their personal relationships.

Our partner has the biggest impact on our mood according to 43% who say that their significant other makes them generally feel more positive. 1 in 5 (21%) say that their best friend is the person who improves their mood while 18% say their Mum lifts their spirits.

However, while the majority have a sunny outlook most of the time, 20% admit to feeling stressed or sad as soon as they wake up in the morning. Almost a third of those who feel stressed or unhappy on a daily basis say that money (32%) is the root cause of their feelings while 18% say the dreary Irish weather tends to get them down.

Mr. Positivity - 50KM Walk World Champion Rob Heffernan

The LloydsPharmacy survey also found that over half (53%) admit to having an extra pep in our step when the working week is done and 63% say the opportunity to spend time with family and friends brightens their outlook. 1 in 4 say they feel happier at the weekends because they relish the chance to sleep a little later than normal.

Aside from spending time with family and friends, the majority of us believe that listening to music, exercise and a healthy diet are the best ways to stay positive. When asked what would brighten up an average day, 54% say a surprise email or text from a loved one always puts them in a good mood followed closely by finding money they didn’t know they had (46%).

Over half (57%) say they have read a self-help book to seek out some positive advice with 1 in 4 choosing the bestselling book ‘The Secret’ as their book of choice.

LloydsPharmacy, formerly DocMorris, launched today at 74 locations across the country with a view to inspiring more positive lives. Designed to help customers think positively about their health, every store offers added-benefit services, including skin experts, skin mapping services accredited by the Skin Health Alliance, pain experts and blood pressure testing facilities.

Speaking about the importance of a positive mental attitude, Professor Richard Wiseman, bestselling author and psychologist who will visit Dublin on October 10^th for a free public lecture about the benefits of a positive mental attitude as part of the LloydsPharmacy launch said, “These are great results.  Research shows that having a positive attitude leads to success because it helps motivate people, and encourages them to persevere when the going gets tough.  Also, a positive attitude is contagious, and so it’s great that around 80% of the country feels good about themselves.” 

On hand to mark the launch of the pharmacy group today was Mr. Positivity himself, 50KM Walk World Champion, Ireland’s Gold Medal Winner, Rob Heffernan who stressed the importance a positive mental attitude had on his historic win in Moscow last month.  He said, “For me, it is vital to have a positive attitude with the work load I have to undertake. Also staying around positive like minded people can help you achieve your goals. I don't feel there is anything I cannot achieve if I put my mind to it, combined with a desire to work hard”.

The Love Lloyds free public lecture with Professor Richard Wiseman, Professor of the Public Understanding of Psychology and author will take place in The Royal College of Physician’s, No. 6 Kildare Street, Dublin on Thursday, 10^th October 2013 at 7pm . Tickets are free of charge and are available on a first come, first served basis at www.facebook.com/lloydspharmacyireland