Top 10 Happiest States in the U.S

Laelia Yang November 17, 2023 | 21:12

Which state you live in will make a significant difference in your happiness and mental health.

Why Are These 10 States Happiest in The US?

Summary
How to Be Happy Wherever You Live Know What’s Important to You Take Action to Improve Your Conditions Top 10 happiest states in the U.S. 1. Utah 2. Wisconsin 3. Nebraska 4. Vermont 5. Iowa 6. Wyoming 7. Colorado 8. North Dakota 9. Washington 10. Idaho The 10 least happy states in the US

When a pandemic and economic crisis hit the United States, how could anyone be happy? Your level of contentment and mental health will vary greatly depending on the state in which you reside.

HouseFresh just released a study that lists the states and cities with the highest levels of happiness. They collected the data with Azure, Microsoft's facial recognition tool. A large number of geotagged Instagram selfies were processed by Azure.

Analysts were looking for a way to tell the difference between genuine and fake smiles. An algorithm was developed that took into account various facial expressions to determine emotions. This would help them determine which states were home to the happiest citizens.

How to Be Happy Wherever You Live

Know What’s Important to You

One of the secrets to contentment is recognizing what matters most to you. Perhaps you are like most people in that you place a premium on issues like health and education. Although it is effective even if you don't. The key is to set your priorities in order so that you can focus on the things that are most important to you. What you do with your time is what you do with your life; the adage holds true. Focus on things that help you become the person you want to be and move you closer to the goals you have set for yourself and your team. Treat your calendar like you would your budget.

Take Action to Improve Your Conditions

Your surroundings have a large influence on your happiness, but you also have the ability to create the circumstances that make you happy. Furthermore, studies have shown that the sense of agency and empowerment you feel when taking steps to improve your situation contributes to happiness.

Because happiness and health are linked, many people prioritize their health. If this describes you, make time for exercise and make an effort to get enough sleep. Seek treatment if you are experiencing sadness or anxiety. As you work to improve your health, consider using an app to track your food intake. If, like most people, you value work-life balance, you should be aware that your happiness at work and outside of it matters. Volunteering has been linked to happier lives in other studies, and this study included it as well. Consider volunteering for projects that are related to your interests.

According to global statistics, travel time is another factor that influences work-life balance. Consider relocating closer to your workplace to reduce your commute time, or make your commute more enjoyable by listening to audiobooks on the train or carpooling with a colleague.

Why Are These 10 States Happiest in The US?

1. Utah

Photo: peoplefirsttourism

Utahns are known for their optimistic and hopeless outlook on life. Utah has a high labor quality because its residents are in excellent physical and mental health. For centuries, people in Utah have lived with an optimistic outlook on the present and hope for the future.

On average, Utah residents work less than 40 hours per week and commute home to their loving partners. Add to that a median household income that is higher than the national average, and you have a recipe for happiness.

2. Wisconsin

Wisconsin residents are content. They have more reasons to be happy than most other states, thanks to high marriage rates, low unemployment, and lower depression rates.

Wisconsin is a place to grow older and happier, with the highest ACT scores in the country, the best health-care efficiency, and the largest producer-only farmers' market in the country. Wisconsin consistently ranks first in every category, from health care and cost of living to job opportunities and outdoor recreation.

3. Nebraska

The majority of Nebraska residents are content with their lives. Despite eating the fewest fresh fruits and vegetables and being notoriously lazy to exercise, Nebraskans are in excellent health, rarely threatened by disease. This is because residents of this country face less stress as a result of their jobs. 92% of people are happy with their lives.

Nebraskans spend less time driving home from work than residents of most other states. This is good news because, with extremely low unemployment, the majority of them are employed.

4. Vermont

Photo: unl

72% of Vermonters follow a regular, healthful diet. Fresh fruits and vegetables should make up at least five servings of a person's weekly diet. Almost 60% of respondents claimed to work out for at least half an hour three days a week. Poverty is extremely rare in Vermont. Most locals have access to necessities.

5. Iowa

In Iowa, visitors can stroll around freely at night without worrying about safety concerns. Every household earns an average of 49,427 USD annually. Like locals, visitors to Iowa can stroll around freely at night without fearing for their safety. The majority of residents are content with their working conditions and have access to clean water.

To start with, their commutes are relatively short—averaging 19.1 minutes, which is 7 minutes less than the average commute in the US. If you're not happy with that 7 minutes, think about the 14 minutes you'll save each day—that's more than an hour every week. That's 52 hours saved over the course of a year.

6. Wyoming

The sixth happiest state in the union is Wyoming. Short commutes and high marriage rates contribute to the general happiness of the populace. Taking pleasure in your daily activities is one factor that leads to happiness. Wyoming is an agricultural state, so a significant amount of the state's income comes from ranches, and cowboys and ranchers are passionate about what they do. But contrary to popular assumption, not all Wyomingites are cowboys or ranchers. Nonetheless, a great deal of joy and fulfillment are still being produced at work.

The Cowboy State sees a lot of tourism. As a result, a large number of the jobs are related to the retail, hospitality, and food sectors. That has opened up a lot of opportunities for locally owned small businesses, and you should know that achieving success at what you love to do brings great joy.

7. Colorado

Photo: uncovercolorado

The best place in the US to work out is Colorado. The mean annual income per household is USD 55,387.

People in Colorado have extremely healthy lifestyles. They eat a lot of fresh produce and exercise on a regular basis. Additionally, this is the greatest location in the US for exercise. Few people suffer from conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and obesity that are prevalent in developed nations.

8. North Dakota

The eighth-happiest state in the union is North Dakota. North Dakota is first for having the lowest long-term unemployment rate and ranks third for work environment. Regretfully, North Dakotans work the second-highest hours of any state—only behind Alaska—among all state inhabitants. The second-lowest divorce rate is likewise found in North Dakota.

9. Washington

Washington offers residents the best of both worlds: a thriving cultural scene and a small-town lifestyle. There are about 4,000 people living there, making it a small but friendly community. Washington, which is only two hours' drive from New York City, has long drawn summer visitors looking for a picturesque escape from the big city as well as those desiring a more relaxed way of life.

The area's breathtaking surroundings are created by the preserved farms, forests, and historic village architecture, as well as the panoramic scenery. Additionally, the town offers an unmatched lifestyle thanks to its rich cultural diversity, lively business district, folkloric events, and excellent educational system.

10. Idaho

Idaho is the tenth happiest state in the union. Both the work environment and the community and environment rank second in Idaho. The sixth-best adequate sleep rate is possessed by Idaho residents, making it simple to guarantee improved mood. Additionally, Idaho ranks 14th in terms of separation and divorce rates, 13th in terms of volunteerism, and 11th in terms of the percentage of depressed adults.