The best and worst states for well-being

New Gallup and Healthways research ranks the best and worst states for well-being.

Overall, the states with the highest well-being in 2014, according to the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, were:

1. Alaska (top)
2. Hawaii
3. South Dakota
4. Wyoming
5. Montana
6. Colorado
7. Nebraska
8. Utah
9. New Mexico
10. Texas

The states with the lowest well-being in 2014:

1. West Virginia (lowest)
2. Kentucky
3. Indiana
4. Ohio
5. Mississippi
6. Alabama
7. Tennessee
8. Arkansas
9. Michigan
10. Missouri

Hawaii and Colorado have made the list of top states every year since the research's inception in 2008, according to the pollsters. West Virginia and Kentucky have held their spots at the bottom for six consecutive years.

The index includes factors such as having a sense of purpose, having supportive relationships, managing economics, liking where one lives and having good physical health and energy. When it comes to physical health, the top state was Hawaii, and the lowest-ranking state was West Virginia. See the Gallup website for additional information.

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