Studies. Surveys. Lists.
They are all about us, guiding us. These things let us know what to eat, how to choose the right facial cream, which clothes dryer to buy, and what brand of car is the best.
I’m like so many others. I check the “ratings” before I make a purchase or a big decision.
But in this world of hyper-technology, artificial intelligence, and super scammers, sometimes it is difficult to know what is right.
I bring this up because I ran across an article telling me about the “happiest” states for seniors to live in. Not seniors in college. But seniors like me with a head full of gray hair and an aching right knee. And not necessarily the best states. But the happiest.
Well. As far as I’m concerned, happiness is subjective. I am extremely happy sitting with a huge pile of round rocks, all by myself, basking in the experience of the earthy compounds. Someone else might be happiest sitting at a bar with 20 friends drinking Kamikazes.
So how did they do it? The study was conducted by Wallethub, a finance company that conducts these types of studies on a regular basis.
“To determine the happiest state in America, WalletHub evaluated each state with 30 relevant metrics in three major categories: emotional and physical well-being, community and environment, and work environment. The analysis used research from previous data and studies on happiness published in the past decade.”
The results did not surprise me. The winner was my favorite state in the Union.
When all the numbers were crunched, the team reported that Utah ranks as the happiest state in America, with a score of 69.79.
The Beehive State may have come out on top, but there are other states with high total scores for measures of well-being, work environment, and community.
So here they are. If you’re trying to be happy, these are the states for you:
1. Utah (69.79)
2. Hawaii (69.42)
3. Maryland (64.62)
4. Minnesota (62.82)
5. New Jersey (61.98)
6. Connecticut (60.68)
7. California (60.53)
8. Florida (59.31)
9. Idaho (59.31)
10. Nebraska (58.92)
“Utah is rated No. 1 for both its work environment and its community and environment. But it isn’t exactly at the top of the emotional and physical well-being list, scoring a 16 in that category. The second-happiest state in America—Hawaii—earns the top slot for that metric.”
As they say, there are two sides to every coin.
So, here are the losers.
According to the data, these ten states have the lowest scores in terms of overall happiness:
1. West Virginia (35.08)
2. Louisiana (35.86)
3. Tennessee (38.30)
4. Arkansas (39.72)
5. Kentucky (40.58)
6. Alabama (40.82)
7. Mississippi (41.42)
8. Alaska (42.20)
9. New Mexico (43.49)
10. Oklahoma (44.09)
“Compared with the rest of the nation, the ten least-happy states scored lowest for emotional and physical well-being, work environment, and community and environment. They also have some of the highest rates of adult depression, lowest rates of adequate sleep, highest divorce rates, and even lowest rates of overall safety.”
For all my pals here in the Buckeye State, Ohio, ranked near the bottom at #37.
For some other friends. Colorado at #31. Washington #22. Pennsylvania #25. South Carolina #20.
Full list: https://wallethub.com/edu/happiest-states/6959
So there it is. Pack your bags. Or not.
Happy is as happy does, depending on where you live, I suppose.
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If you want to be happy, be.
– Leo Tolstoy
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Happiness can exist only in acceptance.
– George Orwell
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Happiness in intelligent people is the rarest thing I know.
– Ernest Hemingway
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It might be your state of mind. No. Wait. I’m happier somewhere else.
