South Dakota Is the Happiest State in America

If you’re looking for true happiness, head south.

That's the conclusion of a new study that identifies which states have the least amount of anxiety and depression in America.

But 'south' isn't necessarily a spot on a compass.

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According to online pharmaceutical company NowPatient, South Dakota and South Carolina are home to folks with the sunniest dispositions in the United States.

They looked at data from hospitals and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as Google searches and population studies to determine each state’s ranking.

The Mount Rushmore State grabbed the top spot thanks to just 24 percent of adults reporting issues with anxiety or depressive disorders.

The report says South Dakotans keep their spirits up thanks to being highly physically active (75 percent) and getting the recommended hours of sleep (72 percent). South Dakota also has a slightly higher-than-average life expectancy (76.7 years).

NowPatient

HAPPIEST STATES IN AMERICA

South Dakota
South Carolina
Delaware
Wisconsin
Illinois

At the bottom of the list is West Virginia, where 40 percent of adults report having an anxiety or depressive disorder.

High unemployment, violent crime, limited access to exercise opportunities, and disconnected youth all contribute to the Mountain State’s gloomy outlook.

MOST DEPRESSED STATES IN AMERICA

West Virginia
Louisiana
Oklahoma
Alaska
Kentucky

20 Things You'll Find In Every South Dakota Home

We have so many things in our homes. Some things are junk or half-used but others have great sentimental value to us.

Regardless of what an item means to us at the end of the day, I bet that most South Dakotans have these twenty items in their home; or at least most of us do.