Alaska has been named the happiest state in the nation by Gallup-Healthways in a study released yesterday.
Since the study began in 2008, Alaska has ranked in the top 10 four times, but has never before placed first.
Nationwide, happiness in 2014 was down four points of a percent from 2012, with 88.1% of respondents saying they were happy “a lot of the day yesterday.”
The study tests five key areas:
- Purpose: liking what you do each day and being motivated to achieve your goals
- Social: having supportive relationships and love in your life
- Financial: managing your economic life to reduce stress and increase security
- Community: liking where you live, feeling safe, and having pride in your community
- Physical: having good health and enough energy to get things done daily
