Red, white and really, very blue.
Researchers at WalletHub, a private finance company, ranked the unhappiest states within the US by analyzing 30 metrics accounting for residents’ emotional and physical well-being, the areas’ employment picture, community and environment.
“It is necessary to live where you may afford housing without being financially stressed and where you may construct some kind of community and develop strong friendship networks,” Dr. Miriam Liss, professor of psychology on the University of Mary Washington, said in a press release.
The rankings follow a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that found nearly 1 in 5 adults within the US have been diagnosed with depression, with the Appalachian and southern Mississippi Valley regions experiencing the country’s highest rates.
Liss noted that folks in these distressed states “can do small things like specializing in gratitude, savoring positive moments, engaging in mindfulness practice, becoming involved in the neighborhood, doing kind acts to others, and making time to nurture friendships and relationships.”
Rates of depression, anxiety and alcohol consumption have reached unsettling highs within the US — and while location could also be a contributing factor, for some, it’s not a driving force.
“For those who are mindful and feel supported and cared for by those around you, you may be comfortable wherever you’re,” Ellen Langer, professor of psychology at Harvard University and writer of “The Mindful Body: Pondering Our Strategy to Chronic Health,” told media outlets.
These are the ten unhappiest states in keeping with WalletHub.
10. Oklahoma
Oklahoma is the tenth unhappiest state within the country.
The Sooner State encompasses a low possibility of income growth, which greatly affects its residents’ well-beings.
9. Recent Mexico
Recent Mexico reported the very best divorce rate within the US.
It also has a high suicide rate and low volunteer participation.
8. Alaska
Alaska has a high suicide rate.
Its residents report a high variety of work hours — without encouraging income growth.
7. Mississippi
Mississippi was found to have the second-lowest safety rating and the fourth-highest divorce rate.
It also ranks terribly in sports participation and safety.
6. Alabama
Alabama has poor rankings for adequate sleep, sports participation, volunteering, and safety.
5. Kentucky
The Bluegrass State has among the worst rates of adult depression, adequate sleep, and sports participation.
4. Arkansas
Arkansas was found to have the second-lowest rating for residents’ emotional and physical well-being.
The state also reported among the most concerning rates of adult depression, sports participation, and safety.
3. Tennessee
Coming in third, Tennessee has the second-lowest rating for community and environment.
2. Louisiana
Bordering the Gulf of Mexico, Louisiana reported the second-worst work environment within the country.
The Creole State was also found to have among the worst rates of sports participation, safety, work hour numbers, and divorce.
1. West Virginia
West Virginia was named the unhappiest state within the country.
The landlocked state has the worst rates of adult depression, emotional and physical well-being, work environment, and adequate sleep of all 50 states.
