With so many amazing views – as well as access to watersports and hiking trails and the laid-back Aloha lifestyle – it comes as no surprise that Hawaii is the happiest and healthiest state in America. That’s right, for the sixth time since the rankings began nine years ago, Hawaii has scored the No. 1 spot in the annual Gallup-Healthways 2016 Well-Being Rankings.
The survey looks at five distinct categories of well-being: purpose, social, financial, community and physical (Hawaii received the number one spot in the latter three categories). The index looks at health factors like obesity, depression, health insurance access, healthy eating, exercise and smoking rates, as well as financial security and community participation. Rounding out the top five states are Alaska, South Dakota, Maine and Colorado. In Hawaii – where we certainly pride ourselves on our healthy and stress-free lifestyle – we can think of a few distinct reasons that the Aloha State beat out the rest of the country in terms of well-being; here are 12 of those reasons.
- There’s nothing better than a little vitamin sea.
melfoody/Flickr Because everybody could use a little ocean therapy once the weekend rolls around.
- With so many amazing trails + water sports, we don’t need gym memberships.
H.Chang./Flickr We don’t dread going to the gym because the islands are our gym. Instead of dragging ourselves to a treadmill, we hit the trails or grab our surfboards.
- We eat a ton of fresh seafood + produce.
dslrnovice/Flickr While not all Hawaiian food is healthy (ie. loco mocos), most people do tend to choose fresh seafood and local produce over red meat and processed food.
- After the rain, we almost always see a rainbow.
Tania & Artur/Flickr Who can honestly say that they don’t get excited when witnessing the perfect rainbow?
- And the stress of the day slowly melts away as soon as you see a signature Hawaiian sunset.
Chris Chabot/Flickr How could you possibly dwell on your stressful day when this is your view?
- There’s nothing better than the sense of ohana felt throughout Hawaii.
Makena Zayle Gadient/Flickr Our family and friends make up the best support system possible.
- The air surrounding the islands is fresh and clean.
Joe Parks/Flickr The Hawaiian Islands simply don’t deal with the air pollution present elsewhere.
- Despite the high cost of living, we don’t need much to be happy.
NPS Cultural Landscapes/Flickr Most people who live in Hawaii care more about their experiences and friends than they do about material goods.
- The legal smoking age in Hawaii was recently raised to 21.
Kanaka Rastamon/Flickr Hawaii was the first state in America to raise the legal smoking age from 18 to 21 - undoubtedly positively impacting our health overall.
- Life is a little slower here in Hawaii.
Andy Price/Flickr And with that slower pace comes less stress and more living in the moment.
- The Aloha spirit surrounds you.
Marvin Chandra/Flickr The Aloha spirit is as infectious as it is all-encompassing.
- How can you be sad with views like this?
Drew Hauck/Flickr Let’s be honest, the views found in Hawaii are second to none.
If you love thinking about all the things that make Hawaii absolutely incredible, check out these “14 Things People From Hawaii Do Better Than Anywhere Else.”
melfoody/Flickr
Because everybody could use a little ocean therapy once the weekend rolls around.
H.Chang./Flickr
We don’t dread going to the gym because the islands are our gym. Instead of dragging ourselves to a treadmill, we hit the trails or grab our surfboards.
dslrnovice/Flickr
While not all Hawaiian food is healthy (ie. loco mocos), most people do tend to choose fresh seafood and local produce over red meat and processed food.
Tania & Artur/Flickr
Who can honestly say that they don’t get excited when witnessing the perfect rainbow?
Chris Chabot/Flickr
How could you possibly dwell on your stressful day when this is your view?
Makena Zayle Gadient/Flickr
Our family and friends make up the best support system possible.
Joe Parks/Flickr
The Hawaiian Islands simply don’t deal with the air pollution present elsewhere.
NPS Cultural Landscapes/Flickr
Most people who live in Hawaii care more about their experiences and friends than they do about material goods.
Kanaka Rastamon/Flickr
Hawaii was the first state in America to raise the legal smoking age from 18 to 21 - undoubtedly positively impacting our health overall.
Andy Price/Flickr
And with that slower pace comes less stress and more living in the moment.
Marvin Chandra/Flickr
The Aloha spirit is as infectious as it is all-encompassing.
Drew Hauck/Flickr
Let’s be honest, the views found in Hawaii are second to none.
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