Our Living Well, On Location[1] series explores cities and countries from around the world. How do other people pursue health and happiness? We're going coast to coast, country to country to find out.


The most recent ranking of health by state[2] revealed Hawaii as the big winner. Other top performers? Minnesota (no surprise there) and three of the six states that comprise New England: Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont. New England's other states, Maine (#16), Rhode Island (#20) and Connecticut (#7) didn't do too shabbily either.


So what can the region teach the rest of the country about living well? Quite a bit, it turns out.


Child well-being is a priority


new england winter children


New Hampshire, Vermont and Massachusetts took the top three spots in a 2012 national survey of childhood health[3] , happiness and well-being. That's thanks to great education and health resources that have New England's children reading at or above their grade levels and enrolled in health insurance plans at a rate of 98 percent. Teen pregnancy and childhood death rates declined during the three-year study period, and high school graduation rates and employment rates for adults with children in their care rose steadily.


Residents stay covered


New Englanders understand the importance of staying insured and that has managed to keep them healthier. It's no surprise that Massachusetts, the home state of the insurance exchange upon which Obamacare is modeled, has high compliance when it comes to being insured. But Vermont and Maine were also identified as states where residents were most likely to be insured. Research shows that those who have insurance are more likely to undertake preventive treatments[4] and more likely to stick to prescription medication regimens.


The good news is that, by federal law, we will all be obligated to comply with this particular healthful cultural feature. And in so doing, we may improve our national health ranking.


New Englanders support equality


new england samesex


Before the repeal of DOMA and the federal recognition of same-sex marriage, New England was a center for marriage equality rights. Not only was Massachusetts the first state to recognize gay marriage in 2003, the region was full of firsts: Vermont was the first state to legalize same-sex marriage through the legislature rather than through a court decision. Maine, though last among its neighbors, was the first state to legalize same-sex marriage by popular vote. New England was also the first region to have legal same-sex marriage in each of its states after Rhode Island passed legislation in 2013.


Same-sex marriage promotes community health in many ways, most basically because marriage, itself, is healthful, boosting happiness and longevity[5] . But here's an added benefit for everybody, whether straight, gay, married or single: Gay-friendly communities boost the mental health of everyone. In a nationwide study, researchers found that ocmmunities accepting of same-sex marriage and gay people[6] had lower rates of suicide and depression among teens -- regardless of the teens' sexuality.


New Englanders take a stand against infectious disease


Children and teens from Connecticut, New Hampshire and Rhode Island are more likely to have been vaccinated against dangerous infectious diseases, according to the United Health Foundation report[7] . By contributing to the "herd immunity" -- the number of people required to keep infectious disease from spreading in a community -- these children and teens are keeping preventable illnesses, like measles, hepatitis and pertussis where they belong: in history.


Their obesity rates are low


Obesity prevalence in the six New England states are lower than in any other region of the country[8] at 21.6 percent of the population, but that hasn't kept major research institutions from addressing the obesity problem that does exist. In one instance, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation has led the charge with anti-obesity programs directed at addressing childhood obesity[9] in Massachusetts, Maine and New Hampshire.


New England knows its sports


uconn louisville


Between the Boston Red Sox, New England Patriots and Boston Bruins, the region has more than its share of award-winning sports teams. And that doesn't even factor in the famous UConn Huskies women's basketball team or the long-standing rivalry between Yale and Harvard's football teams. Sports fandom can improve one's health, thanks to its connection to social ties. As HuffPost Healthy Living's Sarah Klein explained[10] :


Whether the team wins or loses doesn't matter so much, it's going through the collective experience with a team of like-minded folks that boosts self-esteem and lifts spirits, CNN reported. The more passionate a fan, the greater the impact of these social connections on their lives, according to the Atlantic.

They stress less


People in the Northeast reported the lowest average stress levels[11] and were more likely than any other region to report feeling little or no stress, according to a 2010 national report on stress from the American Psychological Association. Although it's important to note that the survey measured a slightly larger region than just New England (and, given that the survey was based on self-reporting, it's hard to know how much of the answers can be attributed to the New England's famous stoicism).


Education is No. 1


williams college campus


Five of the top 20 universities[12] and 10 of the top 25 liberal arts colleges[13] in America are dotted throughout New England, according to the 2014 U.S. News and World Report ranking. But you don't have to take their word for it: Each of these six states is full of world-class educational institutions and five of the 10 best prep schools[14] also reside in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and neighbors.


And that has a real benefit to the public health: A good education is linked to a host of positive health outcomes[15] , such as living longer, getting regularly screened for disease and exhibiting better health behaviors like healthy eating, regular exercise and refraining from smoking, reports the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Educated people also have healthier children, making school an investment in the health of future generations.



Also on HuffPost:




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  • 1. Have Gratitude


    "It all starts with counting our blessings. If you are not grateful for the good things in your life, you will never be satisfied. Take inventory of the good around you. But don't neglect what's not great, either: You also need to be grateful for the hardships, the obstacles, the failures. Why? Because these are the points of wisdom in your life. They give you strength, they teach you how to persevere, and they form your resilience. Being thankful for every step makes life’s hardships surmountable. All of this is the foundation of optimism; being psyched about the good and the bad, and knowing that they all point to a bright future."




  • 2. Share Your Stories


    "I believe we all have the capacity to live optimistically just by sharing our life’s adventures, our successes and even our failures. Just knowing others have been in the same boat and have persevered is comforting. It spreads a message of hope, and hope is the main ingredient in optimism. When we share our stories we are giving others the tools they need to build, evolve, and persevere. In essence, mankind is always 'paying it forward.'”




  • 3. Forgive


    "This is easier said than done but you need to forgive those that have affected your ability to find the silver linings. I believe that the easiest way to forgive and move on is to reflect on the fact that the past is the past. Just look at it this way; the person that you are having a hard time forgiving probably wishes that he or she could erase the past as well. In summary, make peace with your past so that it won't spoil the present. Once you accomplish this, you will close those chapters and live a more positive and happy life."




  • 4. Be A Better Listener


    "When you listen you open up your ability to take in more knowledge versus blocking the world with your words or your distracting thoughts. You are also demonstrating confidence and respect for others. Knowledge and confidence is proof that you are secure and positive with yourself thus radiating positive energy."




  • 5. Turn Envy And Jealousy Into Energy


    "When we envy others we are only hurting ourselves. The universe does not owe you because someone else is better off than you. Channel that energy into building your personal and professional brand. Consider other people’s success the catalyst to help you achieve."




  • 6. Smile More, Frown Less


    "When we smile we are creating a happy, stimulating environment around us that draws others in. Frowning, on the other hand, shuts people out and has the opposite effect. Happiness, even in brief doses, releases Serotonin (the happy hormone). It makes the toughest days surmountable."




  • 7. Exercise, Eat A Healthy Diet And Take In Vitamin D


    "This may be common advice, but we all need some form of exercise and sunlight every day even -- if it’s only for 15 minutes. If you can’t get natural sunlight, ask your doctor about Vitamin D supplements and/or light therapy. If you can’t get exercise during your busy schedule, use the staircase instead of the elevator or park in the furthest parking spot. Whatever it takes, keep yourself in healthy motion as often as you can. Consider balanced meals and don’t push away those fruits and vegetables. If you feel hunger throughout the day, consider almonds and walnuts if you are not allergic. If you are predisposed to allergies, consider frequent smaller meals throughout the day instead of three larger ones. The energy we get from exercise, a healthy diet, and light exposure gives us focus, clarity and a naturally positive demeanor."




  • 8. Be A Positive Forward Thinker


    "Positive forward thinking is the ability to find the silver lining in every cloud, apply it to today or yesterday and be hopeful that tomorrow will be better. Imagine surgery; you think the worse and can’t wait for it to be over. Take all that and start visualizing what the point of the surgery is and what the results of the procedure will deliver. The goal is good, it’s only today that may seem rough. Or picture a student studying for a grueling exam. It may seem like the end of the world trying to prepare and memorize all this information. But take that energy and picture what your degree can do for your future. Like anything else, working hard will always deliver results. Life is not a lottery. It’s what you make of it."




  • 9. Stop Blaming Others


    "It is so easy to blame others for our position in life. People blame the economy, politicians, bosses, and all types of third parties for their problems. Once you truly accept that you control who you are, you will find that optimism and success come naturally. Remember, opportunity is usually found in the valleys, not at the peaks."




  • 10. Understand That The Past Is Not A Blueprint For The Future


    "Just because you've experienced adversity in your life does not mean that what starts badly will end badly. Do not make bad experiences a self-fulfilling prophecy of what lies ahead. On the contrary, know that those milestones are behind you and the road to the future is clear."