Not childhood, people `happiest at 33`: new study

London: No, it`s not childhood. People say they are happiest at the age of 33, according to a new study.

In the study, based on a survey in Britain, seven out of 10 respondents over the age of 40 picked the year they turned 33 as their most contented and rewarding. More than half (53 per cent) said life was more fun, while 42 per cent felt more optimistic about the future. Life seemed stress-free for 38 per cent and 31 per cent thought that was the time their family was closest together. However, only six per cent said they were happiest at university and just 16 per cent in childhood, the poll for `Friends Reunited` found. The survey also found that family and friends were the biggest joy with one in three happiest with children. One in five said happiness came from success at work, according to the survey. Psychologist Donna Dawson was quoted by the `Daily Express` as saying, "The age of 33 is enough time to have shaken off childhood naivety and the wild scheming of teenaged years without losing the energy and enthusiasm of youth. "By this age innocence has been lost but our sense of reality is mixed with a strong sense of hope, a `can do` spirit and a healthy belief in our own talents and abilities. We have yet to develop the cynicism and world-weariness that comes with later years." PTI