The Well-Being Index

Believe it or not, there are pollsters out there who try to measure people's happiness in this country, and the latest one shows people could use some cheering up!

The most recent Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, which measures the United States’ psychological health, found that only about half of the population, or 49%, are “thriving,” while 47% is “struggling” and only 4% is “suffering.”

Before you think these numbers are set in stone, remember that you are in charge of your happiness and you can always turn things around for yourself. This is such an important point that a new wave of professionals called “positive psychologists” focus specifically on people who have achieved happiness, in order to help those who haven’t arrived there. No psychologist can drastically change one’s quality of life, job, home or place in society, but they can give you the techniques to positively approach problems.

This article in an Annapolis newspaper points out that, “happiness is something you do, not something you find.” In other words, you must be proactive! Try making a list of what you believe is standing in the way of your happiness, and what steps you could take to positively change these things.

Where would you place yourself in these percentages from the Gallup Poll and why? [The Capital]