Oh, it’s such a perfect day according to the scientists)

A formula for the ideal day recalls the old Mars bar work, rest and play’ slogan. Sounds great, agrees Hannah Ewens, but one major thing would have to change for us to follow it

- Hannah Ewens

I can remember the last time I thought to myself, “This is the ideal day”. So ideal that I could do this over and over again Groundhog Day-style, with few deathbed regrets. I was in Los Angeles and it was February 2024. I went to an early morning spin class, then worked until lunchtime when everyone back in the UK had logged off for their evenings. Then I went to a library and spent a few hours researching a personal area of interest. Next, I took myself for an early dinner, which was spent off my phone observing the Californians with their personal trainers and dogs and sexy-slacker fashion sense, and finished the day being silly with my friend at her house. In the year since, I’ve had good days, fun days and compelling days, but none that felt that perfect.

It wasn’t because I was in “holiday mode” away from London; it was because there was a balance to it all, proportionally speaking. I got to follow my instincts, indulge in life and still achieve what needed to be done. That observation suggested to me that there is a certain chemistry to the ideal day – and researchers at the University of British Columbia have now discovered just that.