The Wellness Index, by massage and health experts Gayfriendly, analyzed each state against 14 health factors, grouped into five categories: food and drink, mental health, pampering and relaxation, physical health and inclusive social wellness. Results for each category were converted into an overall score out of 100 to determine the ranking. Rhode Island topped the list as the number one self-care hotspot in the U.S., scoring 69.54.
Mississippi has the lowest wellness index score out of all the states, with a score of 16.28. States that follow for lowest wellness index score after Mississippi are West Virginia, South Dakota, Kentucky, Arkansas, Alabama, Indiana, North Dakota, Tennessee and Montana,
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1. Rhode Island
The study revealed that Rhode Island ranked in the top 10 for every category, with three in the top five. The three categories in the top five include physical health and inclusive social wellness, which both placed fourth, and mental health, which placed fifth. This is due to how many gyms, yoga, dance studios, gay bars, pride events and mental health therapists there are in the state to its population.
2. Oregon
Oregon is closely behind in second place, with an index score of 68.89. Residents of Oregon’s healthy food and drink choices ranked first, with the highest average monthly search volume for healthy food out of all the states.
3. Massachusetts
In third place is Massachusetts, with a wellness index score of 68.50. The study revealed that Massachusetts came first for physical health for having the most gyms, yoga and dance studios in the state per population.
4. Colorado
Colorado comes in fourth place, with a wellness index score of 67.39. Colorado's top score in the index was for mental health, where the state ranked second for having the most therapists per population.
5. California
In fifth place is California, with a wellness index score of 65.30. California is the most relaxed state, as the state ranks first out of all the states for pampering and relaxation, with the most massage parlors, spas, meditation centers, and beauty salons per population.
6. Nevada
Nevada followed behind in sixth place, with an index score of 63.08. Nevada ranked first out of all the states for social inclusion, with the highest number of gay bars and pride events per its population.
7. New York
New York has a wellness index score of 61.97 in seventh place. New York's highest score on the index was for healthy food and drink, where it placed second out of 50 states.
8. New Hampshire
New Hampshire is in eighth place with a wellness index of 59.64. New Hampshire's top score out of the individual wellness factors is for physical health, where the state placed second out of all the states.
9. Vermont
Just after that, is Vermont in ninth place, with a wellness index score of 59.01. The study revealed that Vermont's top score in the index was for mental health, where the state placed first for the most therapist support per population.
10. Connecticut
Finally, rounding off the list in tenth place in Connecticut, with a wellness score of 58.98. Connecticut's top-place index scores came third out of all 50 states for both mental health and physical health.
A spokesperson for Gayfriendly said, "Wellness factors can vary significantly from state to state. Some of the best all-around wellness hotspots can be found in states like Rhode Island, Oregon, and Massachusetts, where these states may be prioritizing eating healthier, mental health, pampering, physical health and inclusive social wellness, resulting in a more fulfilling and balanced life.”
