Sunshine really does make us happy

Sunshine really does make us happy People in sunny, outdoorsy states — Louisiana, Hawaii, Florida — say they're the happiest Americans, and researchers think they know why.

A new study comparing self-described pleasant feelings with objective measures of good living found these folks generally have reason to feel fine.

The places where people are most likely to report happiness also tend to rate high on studies comparing things like climate, crime rates, air quality and schools. Probably not surprisingly, their report in Friday's edition of the journal Science found the happiest people tend to live in the states that do well in quality-of-life studies

Ranking No. 1 in happiness was Louisiana, home of Dixieland music and Cajun/Creole cooking. Rounding out the happy five were Hawaii, Florida, Tennessee and Arizona. At the other end of the scale, last in happiness — is New York state.

The long commutes, congestion and high prices around New York City account for some of the unhappiness.

Said Economists Andrew J. Oswald of the University of Warwick in England:

"We wanted to study whether people's feelings of satisfaction with their own lives are reliable, that is, whether they match up to reality — of sunshine hours, congestion, air quality, etceteras — in their own state. And they do match."

The state-by-state list, from happiest to least cheery:

1. Louisiana

2. Hawaii

3. Florida

4. Tennessee

5. Arizona

6. South Carolina

7. Mississippi

8. Montana

9. Alabama

10. Maine

11. Wyoming

12. Alaska

13. North Carolina

14. South Dakota

15. Texas

16. Idaho

17. Vermont

18. Arkansas

19. Georgia

20. Utah

21. Oklahoma

22. Delaware

23. Colorado

24. New Mexico

25. North Dakota

26. Minnesota

27. Virginia

28. New Hampshire

29. Wisconsin

30. Oregon

31. Iowa

32. Kansas

33. Nebraska

34. West Virginia

35. Kentucky

36. Washington

37. District of Columbia

38. Missouri

39. Nevada

40. Maryland

41. Pennsylvania

42. Rhode Island

43. Ohio

44. Massachusetts

45. Illinois

46. California

47. New Jersey

48. Indiana

49. Michigan

50. Connecticut

51. New York

 

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- Posted on December 18, 2009
Submitted by AlexN9721 on Friday, 12/02/2011 - 16:59.

So mood DOES change with the weather, I never knew that! Well, there is a logical reason for that, sun = happy rain = sad. Yes, I am the 5Th happiest, so I am happy!

Submitted by belinda97123 on Monday, 10/31/2011 - 10:03.

People in sunny states, Louisiana, Hawaii, and Florida,say they are the happiest Americans. I think I know why.They always live in the sunny days and feel how the sunshine was hot. I really agreed with that sunshine makes people happy. I really love sunny day personally because the sun makes me warm. I wish I could live in one of those states that have a lot sunny days.

Submitted by KaylaS12 on Wednesday, 10/26/2011 - 12:06.

I think this is very true because when it is rainy or snowy there isn't much to do and people seem less happy then during the summer time. I think the sunshine helps people be more cheerful.

Submitted by arely7 on Monday, 10/10/2011 - 15:57.

I think there right because when it's nice and sunny I feel nice and happy. Manley because when it's nice and sunny also warm that way I don't have to ware a jacket. I can't believe that Washington got in 36 place. I don't all way's feel happy only 55% of the year. Well I hope next year there is more sun.

Submitted by shirleyzxy on Sunday, 10/09/2011 - 15:13.

I think the sunshine makes us happier than the rainy days. I do not like cold days, because it makes me sleep. The sunshine makes me warm, and when I see the sun, I will have a good mood.

Submitted by israel 1 on Friday, 10/07/2011 - 12:22.

i like when the wether is hot because i like the sun. I thank alot of people like the hot wether because they can go fishing and summing.

Submitted by jason861101 on Thursday, 10/06/2011 - 22:00.

Although the sunshine makes me pretty happy, but if I stay under the sunshine very long time, I will feel very hot and sweaty. If every day is cloudy and raining, it does not good either. I think the best weather is cloudy plus sunny, because it does not too hot nor too cold.

Submitted by RachaelM on Friday, 09/23/2011 - 11:38.

I think that sunshine really does show happiness in everybody. I'm always happier on sunny days then i am on rainy or just cold days. Sunny days lets you have so many options to do so your not bored. On rainy days the only thing i want to do is sleep, because you can do anything fun out side if its cold and rainy! i really do be live that sunshine is the cure to happiness!!

Submitted by owlcitizen on Thursday, 09/15/2011 - 11:34.

I guess that means I'm different...I love cloudy days! I don't know why but they just do! Even though sunny days are great too! But yeah, usually the sun does make my friends and family happier.

Submitted by abbyjl98 on Tuesday, 08/30/2011 - 13:46.

I think the sun does make everyone happy!!!! I live in Kentucky and I think when the sun is out people are alot happier!!!!! A sunny day is alot better than a cloudy rainy day and it be rainy outside..