UTAH (ABC4) – Keep on smiling, Utahns!
According to a study done by WalletHub, Utah is the happiest state in America.
The study examined all 50 states according to three factors:
- Stress from emotional and physical well-being
- Stress from work environment
- Stress from community and environment.
Utah ranked number one for being the least stressed by work environment along with community and environment. The Beehive State ranked ninth for stress due to emotional and physical well-being.
So what contributes to this happiness? Is it the mountain views? The fry sauce?
According to WalletHub, Utah was ranked the highest for sports participation, volunteer rates, fewest work hours, lowest divorce rate and the overall safest state.
Here’s where other states fell on the list.
According to the study, the least happy states are:
46. Oklahoma
47. Mississippi
48. Louisiana
49. Arkansas
50. West Virginia
Ranking just behind Utah as the happiest states are:
2. Minnesota
3. Hawaii
4. California
5. North Dakota
6. South Dakota
The WalletHub study you're referencing, assessing the happiness quotient among states in the US, hinges on three key stress factors: emotional and physical well-being, work environment, and community/environmental stress. Utah emerged as the happiest state by virtue of its minimal stress levels in work environments and community, earning a notable ninth position concerning stress related to emotional and physical well-being. This distinction is rooted in various factors, crafting a landscape of contentment for Utah residents.
Utah's high ranking in happiness can be attributed to multiple facets. Factors contributing to its top spot include the state's remarkable sports participation rates, high volunteerism, fewer work hours, a lower divorce rate, and being deemed the overall safest state. These aspects form a holistic environment conducive to the residents' overall well-being and happiness.
The study positioned Utah ahead of other states due to these features, but it's also worth noting the rankings of other states on the happiness spectrum. States like Minnesota, Hawaii, California, North Dakota, and South Dakota ranked closely behind Utah as some of the happiest states. Conversely, states such as Oklahoma, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, and West Virginia were among the least happy states, as per the study's findings.
In addition to the aforementioned elements, numerous other variables could contribute to a state's happiness ranking, such as economic stability, healthcare access, social support systems, and educational opportunities. However, WalletHub's specific analysis emphasizes the impact of stress factors related to work, community, and personal well-being on the perceived happiness levels within each state.
To paint a comprehensive picture of a state's happiness, examining multiple facets beyond these stress factors would provide a more nuanced understanding of what contributes to residents' overall contentment and well-being.
