If you find yourself looking for the positives in some of life’s worst moments, chances are you might be from Wyoming, as a new study has found that Wyoming residents are the most optimistic in the United States.
Want to get caught up on what's happening in SoCal every weekday afternoon? Click to follow The L.A. Local wherever you get podcasts.
The study comes from the yogurt brand Icelandic Provisions Skyr, which partnered with Wakefield Research and Dr. Deepika Chopra, who often goes by “The Optimism Doctor.”
After examining 10 metrics, including how likely they were to persevere in challenging situations and how often they ate a healthy breakfast, the study concluded that Wyoming was the most optimistic, ranking 7.2 out of 10.
In total, 82% of Wyoming residents reportedly wake up “ready to own the day,” compared to 62% of all Americans. The report also highlighted that 98% of Wyoming residents are willing to try again after failing a project, while just 90% of Americans report feeling the same.
“As Americans seek ways to navigate daily challenges, they are increasingly recognizing the vital role healthy habits and nutrient-rich food have in supporting their overall emotional well-being,” Dr. Chopra said in a statement.
Coming in behind Wyoming on the optimism scale are California and New Jersey, both scoring 7.1 on the glass-half-full scale, followed by Alabama and Maryland tying for third with a 7.
“The results of this survey highlight this very connection…incorporating small healthy habits can play a crucial role in fostering optimism and a resilient spirit,” Chopra said.
Coming in as the least optimistic states were Texas and Mississippi, which scored a 6.2 on the scale.
Other states ranked to be on the more optimistic side include New York, North Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska, Missouri, Michigan, South Carolina, and Massachusetts.
The report highlights that some states scored better among the 10 metrics than the average American.
For example, 43% of Californians reported feeling well-rested, compared to just 35% of Americans.
On the other side of the country, 43% of New Jersey residents believe they get “enough” exercise, compared to around 33% of all Americans.
Baby boomers were found to be the most optimistic generation, scoring 7.1, followed by millennials (6.7), Gen X (6.5), and the least optimistic, Gen Z (6.4).
While political division and worries about the country’s future remain high, the report found that Americans as a whole are still trying to stay positive, scoring 6.7 out of 10 on the National Optimism Index Score.
Follow KNX News 97.1 FM
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok