Wellness

British Researchers Find The 50 Things We Must Do To 'Live Life To The Fullest'

by Sean Levinson
Stocksy

English researchers asked 2,000 English adults about what makes a "full" life to compile a list of the 50 achievements everyone should do at least once to have the most exciting and fruitful life imaginable.

The survey found the two most crucial elements to enjoying life to be not worrying about money and not caring what other people think.

Also among these essential steps to immense happiness were losing weight, performing live on stage, traveling to 25 foreign countries, learning a new language and of course, finding true love.

But like any realistic list about having fun, an all-night drinking session along with a one night stand and a spontaneously reckless shopping spree were all featured as well.

The study revealed that the average person has done just 8 of the 50 listed achievements and only 23% of the adults polled believed they are already "living life to the fullest."

A spokesman for the poll said "The research is really interesting because much of the top 50 list focuses on experiences and achievements rather than having more material possessions. And that's exactly what the term 'living life to the full' means - it's getting to that point in life where you are enjoying each moment, from the thrills and adventures to the routine of everyday."

A third of the people polled said that their definition of living life to the fullest means working to live rather than living to work.

"The research indicates people want to relax into their lives in order to enjoy it by stopping all the worries about what other people are thinking, how much money they have - and as number nine in the list shows concentrating on what you do have rather than what you don't is of great importance,'' the spokesman continued.

While a great deal of the polled adults focused mainly on self-cultivation, a select few focused on becoming valiant heroes who set a wise example. 12% said they would like to physically rescue someone and 26% said they would want to be highly regarded by family and friends.

Other important achievements include driving a really fast car, starting a family, paying off debts and getting a degree.

And in order to truly live life to the fullest, these English adults say they want to have reached their desired career peak by the age of 40.

The study shows that 38% claim they don't fill their lives with fun and fruitful experiences because they don't have the time to whereas 65% just believe they can't afford to do all these things at this moment in time.

85% said that if money wasn't a factor, they would have easily had the majority of the list checked off by now.

Just 4 in 10 said that the need to please others stops them from accomplishing similar goals. 17 percent were brave enough to confess that it's nothing but natural fear that's holding them back.

The full list is below:

1. Stop worrying about money

2. Stop worrying about what other people think

3. Take two holidays a year

4. Enjoy little comforts in life

5. Experience different cultures

6. Work to live rather than live to work

7. Pay off all debts

8. Be true to yourself

9. Concentrate on what you have instead of what you don't have

10.Use money on experiences rather than saving for a rainy day

11. Make time for family and friends

12. Try all types of food

13. Find true love

14. Travel to at least 25 different foreign countries

15. Go outside more

16. Learn a new language

17. Be well thought of by family and friends

18. Help a member of your family out when they really need it

19. Lose a stone in weight

20. Treat each day like it's your last

21. Visit all of Britain's historical landmarks

22. Book an impulsive last minute holiday

23. Volunteer for a good cause

24. Take up a challenge

25. Go on safari

26. Blow a load of money in one shopping trip, just because you can

27. Learn a new instrument

28. Be married for longer than 20 years

29. Have enough money left for the grandchildren to enjoy

30. Start a family

31. Earn more than your age

32. Have a pet

33. Drive a really fast car

34. Travel alone

35. Be able to keep the kids on the straight and narrow

36. Meet strangers

37. Move away from home to an unfamiliar place

38. Have a one night stand

39. Pass your driving test

40. Get a degree

41. Rescue someone so that you're a hero for a little while

42. Date someone exciting but completely wrong for you

43. Get a promotion

44. Reach the desired career peak by age 40

45. Have an all-night drinking session

46. Perform something on stage in front of others

47. Snog a stranger

48. Plan a surprise party

49. Embark on adrenaline packed activities such as sky diving or bungee jumping

50. Spend time with children even if they aren't yours