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Happiness is an emotional state characterized by feelings of joy, satisfaction, contentment, and fulfillment. Some key signs of happiness include:

  • Feeling like you are living the life you wanted
  • Feeling that the conditions of your life are good
  • Feeing that you have accomplished (or will accomplish) what you want in life
  • Feeling satisfied with your life
  • Feeling positive more than negative

Having said that, why is Indy so unhappy? Wallet Hub recently ranked the top 180 cities in America based on happiness. The survey plots the largest U.S. cities across 30 key indicators of happiness. The data set ranges from depression rate to income-growth rate to average leisure time spent per day.

Fremont, California topped the list of happiest US cities with a score of 77.13 on the scale. Indianapolis didn’t fare as well. You’d have to scroll to number 160 on the chart to find our happy little metro. Our happiness score is 43.70

Source: WalletHub
Wallet Hub also ranked the happiest states. In order to determine the happiest states in America, WalletHub compared the 50 states across three key dimensions: 1) Emotional & Physical Well-Being, 2) Work Environment and 3) Community & Environment. The happiest state in the country belongs to Utah. Again, you’d have to scroll down the list to find Indiana at #37.
Source: WalletHub

Happy Factors: How To Be Happier

Research suggests that pursuing goals can increase happiness more than pursuing extrinsic goals like gaining money or status. You should try to enjoy the moment and reframe negative thoughts. Reframing these negative perceptions isn’t about ignoring the bad. Instead, it means trying to take a more balanced, realistic look at events. Very Well Mind states that you can become a happier person by getting regular exercise, showing gratitude and finding a sense of purpose.

The Mayo Clinic echoes this advice. People who are happy seem to intuitively know that their happiness is the sum of their life choices, and their lives are built on the following pillars:

  • Devoting time to family and friends
  • Appreciating what they have
  • Maintaining an optimistic outlook
  • Feeling a sense of purpose
  • Living in the moment