Right now, the idea of happiness may seem laughable, but as it turns out, despite being hit hard by coronavirus, New Jersey has a leg up on most other states when it comes to having a positive state of mind.
A new study from WalletHub ranked which U.S. states were able to find happiness which includes an overall sense of well-being and satisfaction with life. And despite our growing property taxes, increasing tolls and parents having to turn their kitchen tables into homeschools, apparently those in the Garden State have found a way not just to survive, but to thrive.
According to WalletHub, previous studies have found that good economic, emotional, physical and social health are all key to a well-balanced and fulfilled life.
“To determine where Americans exhibit the best combination of these factors, we examined the 50 states across 32 key metrics, ranging from the depression rate and the positive COVID-19 testing rate to income growth and the unemployment rate,” said the study authors.
The study looked at three key dimensions when determining a state’s scoring including:
1) Emotional & Physical Well-Being
2) Work Environment
3) Community & Environment
New Jersey ranked number one for the lowest share of adult depression and tied New York for first place on the lowest suicide rate. We also came in #3 for the lowest divorce rate, proving that Jersey love is strong love. On the not-so-great side, we did rank high for long-term unemployment.
So although COVID has limited our opportunities for social interaction and caused widespread loss of work and education, it is possible that a positive outlook, despite bad circumstances, can make all the difference. Many of us have still found time to spend with people we love, get outdoors and do the activities we enjoy.
Who topped the list of happiest states? It should come as no surprise that Hawaii came out on top. What about the rest of the country? Click here to see how the other states ranked. Do you agree that New Jersey is a happy place?
