Are Minnesotans happier than Wisconsinites?
Fast Company recently posted an article featuring both the Top and Bottom 10 happiest states in the U.S. Among its’ Top 10 were bordering neighbors Minnesota (#3) and Iowa (#9), but ... um … Where’s Wisconsin?
You would think that a better NFL team, tastier dairy products, and a higher alcohol tolerance would at least make us Wisconsinites happier than our Western neighbors, but according to the 2012 Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, this is not the case.
The happiness report is based on things like “work environment, physical health, emotional health, lifestyle behaviors like exercise and smoking, access to health care and food, and overall life satisfaction.” So I guess it’s no wonder that Hawaii is rated the happiest state in the U.S for the fourth year in a row.
But what about state pride, sense of community, agriculture, scenery, and appreciation for things like the arts and the environment? Surely if these were taken into consideration Wisconsin may have made the Top 10. Either way this article provides some useful information for moving towards an overall happier Wisconsin.
Many of us Wisconsinites may bemoan the idea that Minnesotans are happier, but hey, at least we’re not in the Bottom 10 Happiest States with West Virginia and Kentucky!
