Photo: Photos: Getty Images; Edited by Anna Gallegos
Are Oklahomans unhappy? One study thinks so.
Financial website WalletHub recently looked at what makes people happy and the environmental factors that influence people's happiness. Previous research have found that good economic, emotional, physical and social health are all key to a well-balanced and fulfilled life.
It determined the happiest (and unhappiest) states in the U.S. based on 31 metrics, including depression rates, unemployment, community engagement, and physical health.
WalletHub ranked Oklahoma #46 in happiness. The Sooner state did poorly in the "emotional and physical well-being" category. The site also found that Oklahomans tend to work more hours than residents of most other states and it has one of the lowest sports participation rates in the nation.
Only four other states are considered more unhappy than Oklahoma: Mississippi (#47), Louisiana (#48), Arkansas (#49), and West Virginia (#50).
Meanwhile, the most happy states are:
- Utah
- Minnesota
- Hawaii
- California
- North Dakota
So what makes a happy state? In the case of Utah, people there are happy because the work the fewest hours, have the highest sports participation rate, the highest volunteer rate and the lowest divorce rate.
See the full study and other states here.