LONDON (AFP) - Britain is suffering a sense of humour failure, with laughter levels three times lower now than 50 years ago and nearly half of all adults unable to enjoy at least one big guffaw a day, research showed.

Money worries, relationship woes and even political concerns were among the reasons given for the collection of grim faces, according to the data, collected for the cruise company Ocean Village.

"Laughter is an essential ingredient of a healthy, happy life and is one of the most effective and immediate antidotes to stress and tension -- it really is the best medicine," said Amanda Bate from Ocean Village.

"The findings of this study show a worrying trend towards glumness. In the 1950s we laughed for an average of 18 minutes daily but this has dropped to just six minutes per day," she said.

Morning misery is rife, with almost half of Britons -- some 45 percent -- admitting they frequently wallowed in gloom until lunchtime.

Around 16 million adults, totalling 40 percent, said they failed to muster even one proper belly laugh in an average day.

It is not all sulking and moodiness, however, as the research found that single women aged 18 to 24 in the northern city of Manchester were the happiest people in the country.

In addition, Bristol, in western England, was named the most cheerful place for couples aged 25 to 34.

Factors such as weather, time of day and age, were all cited as being able to spark the blues.

July and August were the happiest months of the year according to three out of four people quizzed, with January the most miserable.

The study was carried out by ICM Research on behalf of Ocean Village who interviewed a random selection of 1,000 adults aged 18 or over.

"What the problem is folks"!! The first thing I said when I saw this was "It must be the weather" sure enough they sited it as one of the potential problems. Brits seem to be a pretty lively bunch from what I have seen here at BV, IMHO. Does this seem to be common among you all? Maybe it's time for a vacation, catch a little bit more sun.

Peace Im Out

Sunshine can put you in a good mood... make you feel more enthusiastic Just feeling it on your face makes you feel good and happy... wouldn't be surprised if that was true.

@BC

Never been a problem for me, in fact laughing is one of the things I do best, if it wasnt for laughter and the things I find funny I would have been dead long time!

There are situations or things which someone has said from years back that when it crosses my mind I am bent up with laughter, thats one of the best things about memory,things like that counter-balance all the dark memories we accumulate.

I noticed this about three years ago....every morning i am faced with rude, obnoxiously mute adults that behave like pompous teenagers.

Some of them smell so dirty and look permanently suicidal.....all in their Next suits...lol

And there is the ever broody white males.......its like life has been sucked out of them....its so miserable that i just play very loud music on my mp3 andi don't wear my glasses or contacts when i am going to work, that way i don't have tosee those miserable faces day and in day out....

I need to get out of this country...

@ Calisto

True Dat, True Dat

@ Jett black

Does this seem to be the overall portrayal of Brits on a daily basis. Do a majority of them possess these symptoms?

@BC

I would say that a lot of people in this country have had a sense of humour-ectomy but I dont hang with those types,misery loves company etc.........my circle is small but the people I spend any time with have similar sensibilites,humour etc and being with these folks is the only way im able to function in the UK, coz otherwise on the whole its a pretty fooking miserable place.

dimoke wrote:

Better start planning for that vacation now. The summer is about here.

@ Dimoke
And what's wrong with NEXT suits blkexercise

jett black wrote:

You can't get enough of traveling. I would suggest getting out of Britian at least one each summer.

@BC

thats why im leaving once again in two weeks.

@BC...trust me dear....i am so desperate to leave that i am tempted to rob a Bank because my saving is still too slow.....

nah

I am always laughing!.........................