Which States Have The Happiest Residents, And How You Can Join Them

Think about how content you currently are.

Findings from a new study reveal the happiest states (hint: they may surprise you). It's fun to compare your home state with others, or to fantasize about moving somewhere else. But it's also helpful to know what factors contribute most to happiness, as well as what you can do to improve your own level of contentment in light of your current environment and your own coping mechanisms.

A large body of literature suggests that your level of happiness is determined by three factors: your genetic makeup, your environmental context, and the decisions you make. A happy gene has been identified, which may come as a surprise. What you've been through and where you are in life right now also play a role. However, other factors into the happiness equation include the decisions you make. Create the conditions for happiness, and they will have a positive impact on your level of satisfaction, joy, and contentment even if you didn't win the gene lottery and even if your situation isn't ideal.

Let's take a step back and ask: Which states have the happiest residents? State residents in North Dakota are the happiest in the country, according to a new study from Amerisleep. Kentucky ranked 50th on the list of most content states, below West Virginia, Tennessee, Nevada, and Ohio. The rankings of states' happiness were based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to residents' health, education, number of working hours, and safety (for a full list of these and other considerations, see below).

North Dakota topped the list because of its favorable conditions in key areas like income growth, open spaces, and the presence of national parks. Because of its residents' better sleep quality, lower depression rate, and easy access to medical care facilities, Vermont ranked second on the list of happiest states. Part of Nebraska's third-place finish can be attributed to its residents' lower average workweek length, greater access to gyms, and shorter commutes. One reason for California's low ranking is that it has relatively less green space than other states.

But regardless of where you call home, you can find happiness in the data we have collected on what makes people content. One hundred thousand people from all over the world took part in the OCED Better Life Index, and their responses showed striking consistency regarding the things that matter most in life.  

Health, education, work-life balance, environment, safety, housing, and income are the top seven factors that contribute to people's happiness. And with this information in hand, you'll be able to take steps toward boosting your happiness and fulfillment.

Knowing what you value most in life can help you find happiness. Perhaps you share the views of the masses and consider factors like health and education to be extremely important. But it's okay if you don't The trick is to identify your priorities so that you can invest your time, attention, and energy in activities that truly matter to you. How you live your life is determined by how you live each moment. Think of your time as you would money, and invest it in the things that will help you become who you want to be and achieve the goals that will bring you closer to the kinds of relationships you desire.

Focus on what really matters to you and your happiness.

You Must Act to Better Your Situation

Your level of contentment depends in part on external factors, but you also have the ability to shape your environment in ways that boost your joy. In addition, taking initiative to better one's situation has been shown to increase one's sense of agency and empowerment, both of which are important factors in promoting happiness.

Many people place a high value on maintaining their health because of the positive relationship between it and their level of happiness. If this describes you, prioritizing exercise and sufficient rest is essential. If you're feeling down or anxious, seek professional help. When trying to lose weight and eat healthier, using a mobile application to log your food consumption is another option to consider. Knowing that your inner and outer joy are important is crucial if you, like most people, value work-life balance. Prior research has found a link between volunteering and increased levels of contentment, and that was also the case in this investigation. Consider participating in volunteer projects that allow you to indulge your interests. Commute time is another indicator of work-life balance in the global data. If you spend too much time getting to and from work, think about moving closer to your workplace. Alternatively, you could make your commute more pleasant by listening to audiobooks on the train or driving in a carpool with coworkers.   

As an additional course of action, you can lobby for change on a local level. Most people's happiness in the happiness index was correlated with their level of safety, housing, and income, so working on these issues locally is an excellent place to start.

Use the resources at your disposal

Some people may not be lucky enough to live in a state with lots of parks and spacious homes, but even the most modest neighborhoods always have something to offer. If you can't take a stroll along the river, explore the surrounding neighborhood. If you and a friend don't live near a bustling downtown area, you can always stop by the diner on the corner for a cup of Joe. When asked what makes them happy, most people say that having access to educational opportunities is high on the list. If you and a friend don't have access to educational outlets in your area, look for an online opportunity and sign up for it.

Optimize the current situation. Happiness research consistently shows a link between gratitude and positive emotions. Therefore, be grateful for what you have and take advantage of all the resources at your disposal.   

The pursuit of perfection is a trap.

The idea that one should always be able to experience more joy is known as the "happiness inflation" myth. Happiness, however, is more ephemeral than that. Even if you have days when you're down, or seasons of life where you're not singing from the mountaintops with unbridled enthusiasm, you can still have an overall sense of joy and contentment.

In a similar vein, ideal circumstances do not exist. It's fair to say that there are some aspects of your job that you enjoy more than others, and some that you find less satisfying. Despite your love for them, your significant other may occasionally do things that annoy you. Indeed, there is no such thing as a perfect location. There are benefits and drawbacks to every option available to us in life. The trick is to pick the ones that are the most in line with your interests, and to abandon the idea that you can make a perfect choice.

Concentrate on the things that matter most to you, and work toward making those a reality. Give up trying to achieve or achieve perfection. Making the best decisions you can and working toward the goals that will bring you the most joy are all that is required.

In Sum

While it is true that happiness is induvial, it is also true that it is possible to aggregate what makes people happy and to rank states where the conditions seem best for happiness. Trust your own judgment regarding what makes you happy, and try not to judge yourself by the standards of others. Happiness is a state that can be achieved regardless of one's physical location by making positive mental and behavioral choices.

Ten of the happiest states are located in the north: North Dakota, Vermont, Nebraska, South Dakota, California, Rhode Island, Iowa, Montana, Oregon, and Utah. Kentucky ranks 50th on the list of happiest states; following it is West Virginia, then Tennessee, then Nevada, then Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Illinois, Missouri, and Washington.

The 17 variables used to determine the happiness rankings of the 50 states are as follows: the percentage of the population that suffers from depression; the percentage of the population that reports getting inadequate sleep; the percentage of the population that belongs to health clubs; the percentage of the population that commits suicide; the average number of hours worked per week; the percentage of the population that volunteers; the percentage of the population that gets divorced; the percentage of Whether or not there are a lot of trees strewn about, how many parks and other open areas there are, how beautiful the state is, how safe it is, how many colleges and hospitals there are Health, education, work-life balance, the environment, safety, housing, and income are all examples of areas where people place a high value.