London - We may be the proud owners of high-definition TVs, DVD players, smartphones, iPads and laptops.
But the simple pleasure of listening to the radio is still what makes us happiest, a survey has found.
It showed that people who regularly watched television, used the computer, or listened to the radio were happier and had more energy than those who did not.
But the Media and the Mood of the Nation study also found that radio had the most potent mood enhancing effect, with happiness levels lifted by 100 percent and energy levels by 300 percent, compared with those not plugging into any media at all.
The report said: “Radio is chosen as a lifestyle support system, to help people feel better as they go about their daily lives. Rather than the peaks and troughs that people have claimed to experience with TV and the internet, radio provides a consistent environment themed and shaped to suit the listener’s needs at any given time of day, and one that is generally upbeat in tone.”
Viewers said TV boosted their happiness by 62 percent and energy by 180 percent, while those using the internet said happiness was increased by more than two thirds and energy levels leapt by 220 percent.
The research, based on interviews with more than 1,000 people and commissioned by the Radio Advertising Bureau, comes at a time when radio listening in Britain has reached a record high. The latest figures show that 91.6 percent of the population tune in each week.
Respondents were asked to detail what media they were using and rate their mood on a scale between -5 and 5 at different points during the day across one week, before giving more detailed interviews.
Those that did not use any media at all averaged a score of 0.5 on the energy scale and 1.3 on the happiness scale, while those that listened to the radio had an average happiness score of 2.6 and energy rating of 2.1.
TV viewers averaged a happiness and energy score of 2.1 and 1.4 and those using the internet rated 2.2 and 1.6 on the same scale.
The research found that the biggest mood enhancer for people was listening to the radio while surfing the web, because they were able to enjoy the “company” of the wireless while achieving more practical things online.
A spokesman for RAB said: ‘With consumer confidence affecting both national mood and economy, these findings illustrate how powerful a boost media, and radio in particular, can be to both.’
The latest Rajar audience measurement figures show that 91.6 percent of the population tune in each week. - Daily Mail