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Some say that being happy is a state of mind, but the happiest states of the United States are found in the Midwest and mountainous regions. Sean Dowling of Buzz60 has more.
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In most parts of the United States, Bank of America does not turn around.(Photo: Get pictures)

Pursue happiness? Maybe you should go to Hawaii.

A new study of the WalletHub personal finance website ranks the 50 states in terms of happiness.

For his investigation, WalletHub compared states across three key dimensions, including emotional and physical well-being, the work environment and the community and the environment, believing that "previous studies have shown that a good economic, emotional, physical and social health a well balanced and fulfilled life. "WalletHub then used 31 parameters to evaluate each dimension (including everything from the adequate sleep rate to the number of hours of work, income level and ideal weather).

The happiest state, according to the study, is that of Hawaii. It occupies the first place in the dimension of emotional and physical well-being, with a low proportion of depression in adults.

The second happiest state goes to Utah, which ranks first in the field of the work environment and where the divorce rate is low.

Minnesota completes the three happiest states, with a low divorce rate and a high level of security.

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In general, the southern states seem to be more unhappy. According to WalletHub, the least fortunate state is West Virginia, thanks to factors such as insufficient sleep rates and high levels of depression in adults. Arkansas ranks 49th in the WalletHub study on the happiest states, with low athletic activity rates and high levels of depression in adults. Louisiana, in 48th place, has more hours of work and high divorce rates.

Hawaii is ranked # 1 for happy states. (Photo: Thinkstock)

Happiest states

These are the 10 happiest states in 2018 and their corresponding scores (out of 100), according to WalletHub:

1. Hawaii (68,27)

2. Utah (67,84)

3. Minnesota (67,26)

4. North Dakota (65,62)

5. California (63,14)

6. Idaho (63,09)

7. Maryland (61.78)

8. Iowa (61.07)

9. South Dakota (60.80)

10. Nebraska (59.11)

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West Virginia was at the head of the unhappy states. (Photo: FloNight (Sydney Poore) and Russell Poore / Wikimedia Commons)

Most unhappy states

These are the least happy states in 2018 and their corresponding scores, according to WalletHub:

1. West Virginia (33,42)

2. Arkansas (36,61)

3. Louisiana (37.15)

4. Alaska (38,21)

5. Oklahoma (38,89)

6. Alabama (39,35)

7. Kentucky (39.42)

8. Mississippi (41.63)

9. Missouri (42,76)

10. New Mexico (43,35)

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