If better work environments, great weather and high volunteerism equate to happiness, then Idaho is practically beaming. According to WalletHub’s overall ranking of happiest states, Idaho is No. 6.

What makes people happy is probably too subjective to be accurately measured. However, there are certainly categories that make it easier or harder for the average person, such as the stability of intimate relationships, commute times, employment security, weather limitations, a sense of community belonging, and health. So WalletHub looked at them all, ranking states in three primary categories: “emotional and physical well-being,” “work environment,” and “community and environment.” Scores in each were added to rank states’ happiness.

The top 10 are:

1. Utah

2. Minnesota

3. North Dakota

4. Hawaii

5. Colorado

6. Idaho

7. Iowa

8. Nebraska

9. South Dakota

10. California

Two more northwestern states came close; Washington ranked 12 and Wyoming, 13. Six of the remaining top 20 are eastern states (with Wisconsin, 15).

Assuming it’s true that happy people tend to live longer, Idahoans can look forward to long and fulfilling lives.

Of course things aren’t that simple; we Idahoans are lucky in many ways, but certainly have our challenges. Among them is where we fall on what the study called the “hedonometer” (hedonism, i.e., the pursuit and experience of pleasure). Suggesting we’ve either little to do by comparison, or aren’t as good at enjoying it, Idaho is second-most “lame,” below Hawaii. The most “awesome” states on the hedonometer were Oregon (happiness rank 32 overall) and Louisiana (46). Louisiana also ranked in the worst five for highest obesity, highest work hours, and lowest sports participation.

On a positive note, Idaho ranked second, behind Utah, in volunteerism. Volunteerism was part of the “community and environment” category, which also includes weather, number of attractions, leisure time, safety, and divorce rate. Overall, and despite its relatively high divorce rate (top 10, according to the CDC), Idaho ranked fourth in the nation for this category.

Less encouraging was Idaho’s “emotional and physical well-being” rank of 24. No doubt Idaho’s well-publicized high suicide and depression rates had something to do with this. In addition to those, other factors in this category included food insecurity/poverty, obesity, drinking, heart attacks, and self-reported impacts of illness and disabilities.

Idaho did best in the work environment category, ranking third of 51 states. Despite relatively low wages by comparison to some states (and lower costs of living, another factor in the study), the study found Idahoans tend to enjoy shorter commutes, reasonable work hours, relatively lower unemployment rates, and better job security as compared to other states. According to Pew Research, the share of Idaho’s population living in poverty is in line with the national average of 14.8 percent, and has reduced since 2010 (15.7 percent).

For information see Wallethub.com and Pewtrusts.org.

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Sholeh Patrick is a columnist for the Hagadone News Network. Contact her at Sholeh@cdapress.com.