DD Web • October 25, 2018
The ‘Happiness’ Factor: Why Utah?
“Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.” Most Americans are familiar with these words. Written in the introduction of the Declaration of Independence, these unalienable rights were given to all human beings by their creator. (Thanks Thomas J! No wonder he was called ‘Man of the People.’) And while we may all be free to pursue happiness, where we live in the U.S. affects the outcome of this quest more than we may realize.
WalletHub recently ranked 2018’s Happiest States in America, finding that some states are doing significantly better in this pursuit than others. They analyzed the 50 states across 31 metrics, and found that the happiest places are “rich in nature and community”. The most important metrics that affected happiness were the share of adult depression, suicide rates, number of work hours, job security and ideal-ness of weather.
So, what did their results reveal? The five happiest states based on these metrics are Hawaii, Utah, Minnesota, and North Dakota, with California coming in at No. 5. The bottom-ranking states are Oklahoma, Alaska, Louisiana, and Arkansas, with West Virginia coming in at No. 50.
Utah is reportedly the second-happiest state based on this ranking, just behind Hawaii. The Beehive State is, of course, very different in both in geography and culture than The Aloha State. But it ranks highly on a variety of levels; it’s first in fewest work hours, volunteer rate and has the lowest divorce rate. It also came in second (after Colorado, which ranked at 18th overall) in highest sports participation rate. It’s cost of living is also relatively low compared to other large metros.
A connection to nature is also profoundly powerful, and having beautiful and accessible natural scenery within reach is major a perk for Utah, California and other high-ranking states. Utah boasts some of the best outdoor recreation and scenery in the nation, and it is proven that time spent outdoors relieves stress and is one of the best natural mood boosters.
According to happiness expert Gretchen Rubin (author of ‘The Happiness Project’), one secret to happiness, or even “The secret to happiness” is relationships. Having the lowest divorce rate has an impact because whether marriage or friendship, these relationships play a huge role in our happiness. Looking for a happy pick-me-up? Making a difference in the lives of others can also boost happiness, and Utah’s high volunteer rate certainly contributes to its second-place ranking.
Frank Niles, PhD, a social scientist, adventure athlete and executive educator says it best. “Happiness comes down to being physically and emotionally healthy, pursuing things that are meaningful to us personally and contributing to something larger than ourselves.”
A connection to nature? Check. Meaningful relationships? Check. Helping others? Check. How cool is it that Utah is succeeding in all of these areas? Here at Novation, we believe in making an impact in the lives of others and having a purpose within our community. It’s our MISSION! Maybe that’s why we’re so happy… :)
#whyutah
At Novation Title, we take immense pride in being recognized on the 2024 Top Latino-Owned Business List ! As a Latino-owned company, we are passionate about empowering our community through homeownership—one of the fastest ways for Latinos to build generational wealth in America. Why Hispanic Homeownership Matters Homeownership is more than just buying property; it's about creating stability, financial security, and opportunities for future generations. We believe in providing the resources and education needed to help our Latino community navigate the path to homeownership with confidence. Educating & Supporting Latino Homebuyers Our team uses key insights from the NAHREP (National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals) reports to share real data on Latino homeownership growth and opportunities. We know that numbers don’t lie , and we want to ensure that every aspiring homeowner and entrepreneur has access to the right information. Advice for Latino Entrepreneurs For those looking to start a business in the title and real estate industry, our advice is simple: educate yourself and lean on data. By understanding the numbers and trends, you can position yourself for long-term success. Thank you to our community and partners for trusting Novation Title. Together, we continue to break barriers and build wealth through homeownership!
At Novation Title, we take immense pride in being recognized on the 2024 Top Latino-Owned Business List ! As a Latino-owned company, we are passionate about empowering our community through homeownership—one of the fastest ways for Latinos to build generational wealth in America. Why Hispanic Homeownership Matters Homeownership is more than just buying property; it's about creating stability, financial security, and opportunities for future generations. We believe in providing the resources and education needed to help our Latino community navigate the path to homeownership with confidence. Educating & Supporting Latino Homebuyers Our team uses key insights from the NAHREP (National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals) reports to share real data on Latino homeownership growth and opportunities. We know that numbers don’t lie , and we want to ensure that every aspiring homeowner and entrepreneur has access to the right information. Advice for Latino Entrepreneurs For those looking to start a business in the title and real estate industry, our advice is simple: educate yourself and lean on data. By understanding the numbers and trends, you can position yourself for long-term success. Thank you to our community and partners for trusting Novation Title. Together, we continue to break barriers and build wealth through homeownership!
Welcome, 2020! We made it through the first week of the New Year and are already excited for what’s to come in this brand new decade. Anything can happen, and we have so much to create! Whether you’re a fan of long-term resolutions or prefer setting smaller, short-term goals, it feels good to start the year off with a desire to change for the better. If you know us, you know our approach at Novation Title has always been goal-centric, not only within our business but in our personal lives and out in the community. In today’s world where we are constantly connected (and distracted), it’s no wonder that we increasingly find ourselves overwhelmed mentally and physically drained. Often, the issues in everyday life are the ones that prevent us from enjoying the very same everyday life! How can we balance this out? We believe we can do better. That is why we are introducing meditation into our workspace. While meditation has been practiced for over 5,000 years, it is increasingly becoming a necessary way for us to unplug from the modern world. But what, exactly, is it? Meditation is a practice where an individual uses a technique — such as mindfulness — to train attention and thoughts. Mindfulness is awareness, it is a state of peace. It is being in the present moment, intentional and serene. It is the process of being aware of your thoughts while also disconnecting from them so you can connect within. Connecting within is the highest form of intelligence and results in proven mental, emotional and spiritual health benefits. Here are just a few science-based benefits of meditation: Reduces blood pressure Increases serotonin production that improves mood and behavior Improves immune system Increase in energy levels Lessens stress and anxiety Increases happiness and creativity Clarity and peace of mind Increased memory retention and recall Enhances self-awareness and self-acceptance Each one of us, regardless of gender, age or other factors, undergo daily stress and tension at some level or the other. That’s why we’re so excited to introduce #NovationMeditation into our business and we encourage others to join us this year. We can ALL benefit from improved mental and physical health in 2020. Who’s with us?!
