United States of Well-Being - A Call to Action in the Sadness Belt

     Do you hate your job? Get sick easily? Have trouble staying in shape? Smoke excessively? Then you must be from West Virginia. Or Ohio. Or Kentucky. Or any of the other seven states that make up the recently coined "Sadness Belt."

Photo courtesy of Gallup-Healthways

All located in the same general area, the Sadness Belt is made up of Oklahoma, Indiana, Louisiana, Ohio, Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi, Kentucky and West Virginia - the 10 states with the lowest overall well-being scores as calculated through the Gallup-Healthways report.

United States of Well-Being: Tips From the Top Well-Being States in America

     What do Hawaii, Colorado, New Hampshire and Iowa have in common? Not their climates or tourist attractions, that's for sure. While these states might not offer the same kind of thrilling or relaxing experiences, those who live in them do experience the same kind of well-being - the best in the nation.


Photo courtesy of Gallup-Healthways

According to the 2012 Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, the top 10 states with the best well-being include Hawaii, Colorado, Minnesota, Utah, Vermont, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Iowa and Massachusetts.
     While these 10 states might not all be located in one central area, they do have their commonalities.

The United States of Well-Being: The Pacific Northwest and its problem with SAD

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Heavy rain and sticky snow aren't necessarily selling points to highlight when advertising the Pacific Northwest, but they happen to be two factors you'll encounter sooner than later if living in that region. And these two factors do play a part in why the states in the Pacific Northwest make up a good portion of the third lowest well-being category discussed in a recent report.

The United States of Well-Being

    Would you ever move to a different state just to be happier? Or choose your vacation spot based on where you might be able to improve your well-being instead of improving your tan?
     While many people might not take these thoughts into consideration, a recent study explained how you might be able to subconsciously improve your well-being simply based on where you live or vacation in the United States.

Photo courtesy of usatoday.com

     A few months ago, the 2012 well-being index rankings for the United States were released in the 2012 State of Well-Being report with Hawaii taking the lead as the state with the best overall well-being for the fourth year in a row. 

Looking Beyond Religion to Find Spiritual Well-Being

    

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                                                                                I tell everyone I've been a Catholic before I was even born. My parents had me going to church with them at a very young age and most of my education has taken place in a Catholic school. I've always enjoyed Mass and religious holidays - a chance to be with my family, reflecting, contemplating and appreciating all God has given us. But lately, I've been noticing my faith waver. Tragedies, upsets and unexpected events have made me question my beliefs - if it holds any truth and meaning and whether praying actually works. As I try to answer these questions, I have found that faith happens to be much more than just religion and the practices that go along with it.

Let's talk money

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wealthforteens.com

     I have a lot of coats. And shoes. And clothes. And other things. My friends call me a shopaholic. I'm either in denial or have a very different definition of what a shopaholic is. But regardless, there are things I just can't help but be drawn to and splurge on. Has anyone else been in this situation before?
     Sometimes I think as a college student, I have a hard time managing money because I'm in this "limbo" kind of world. Yes, I do have to pay for the townhouse I live in and the food I eat, but I don't have to deal with landlords or the other financial aspects of "being on my own." But of course I want to be prepared for the future because it's going to be here sooner than I realize.

Turning Health Habit Intentions Into Health Habit Actions

     You struggle to drag your half-asleep body out of bed early in the morning to go to the gym. You choke down a bland, leafy salad instead of the cookie you see sitting on the counter. You go to bed before your favorite show comes on TV. You don't like to do these things (or at least I don't like to do these things), but you do them to keep your body in good, healthy shape.
     For me, I always thought I did these things to maintain my physical well-being. As I've dived into this topic of psychological well-being, though, I've found that enough sleep, a balanced diet and an exercise routine all help your mind just as much as your body.
     So how do I, and the many others out there who have good health habit intentions, turn those intentions into actions? Here are some tips to help.