Does Connecticut Rank among the Best States for Well-Being?

Connecticut is the nation's 35th ranked state for well-being, according to a new report by Gallup-Healthways.

"Well-being in the U.S. continues to exhibit regional patterns with the Northern Plains, Mountain West and some Atlantic states generally reporting higher levels, while states in the South and Midwest consistently lag in key elements," the report states.

The report studied five elements to determine well-being:

• Purpose: liking what you do each day and being motivated to achieve your goals
• Social: having supportive relationships and love in your life
• Financial: managing your economic life to reduce stress and increase security
• Community: liking where you live, feeling safe and having pride in your community
• Physical: having good health and enough energy to get things done daily

To read about the report's methodology, click here.

Connecticut received low marks for Purpose and Community, but ranked better under the Physical category.

"The non-contiguous states, Hawaii and Alaska, have historically recorded high well-being, while West Virginia and Kentucky have recorded the lowest well-being in the nation for the past eight years in a row."

After West Virginia and Kentucky (50th and 49th, respectively), the remaining bottom five are Oklahoma, Indiana and Arkansas.

Overall, the national trends as it relates to well-being are moving in a positive direction.

"Now 55.4 percent of American adults are 'thriving,' compared to 48.9 percent in 2008," the report states. "Other positive trends include historically low smoking rates (now at 18.0 percent, down from 21.1 percent in 2008); historically high exercise rates as measured by those who report they exercised for 30 minutes or more, three or more days in the last week; and the highest scores recorded on healthcare access measures, with the greatest number of Americans covered by health insurance and visiting the dentist."

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