If you're happy and you know it

Hawaii is the happiest state in the union..according to a new survey...and Wisconsin needs to get its smile on if it wants to move up in the rankings.

The new findings come from something called the Gallup Healthways Well-being Index, in which 350-thousand people were interviewed, with averages given in categories including life evaluation, healthy behaviors (do they smoke or drink?),  work environment, physical health, and access to health care. Hawaii and Utah top the list, but Wisconsin's neighbors of Minnesota and Iowa make the top five. Wisconsin comes in at number 27, with a 66.0% average in all those categories.

It might be interesting to note that the average in the happiest state (Hawaii) is 70.2, and the lowest state, West Virginia, comes in at 60.5 percent. So what this really says..is we're really all somewhere in the middle, and that everybody could probably use a happiness booster shot!

In lieu of calling up the doctor and demanding a prescription for Paxil, there are some things you can try to make yourself happier.

Sing a happy tune.  How can you be sad when singing a positive song like 'Here Comes the Sun," or the theme to Sesame Street? (I just notice both my suggestions include sunny thoughts....maybe that's why Hawaii scores so high in the survey.

Get some exercise. Yeah, it will suck in the beginning..but when you get into the "zone" it will actually make you feel better!

Give instead of get. A 2008 study suggests it only takes $5 spent on others to make you happier on a given day. Volunteer! Share your expertise with others. Studies show people with a greater sense of self-worth describe themselves as happier.

So what are you waiting for? Like it says in that Partridge Family song, "C'mon, get happy." Then maybe we can move up in those happiness rankings next year.

Kitty Dunn is co-host of Jonathan & Kitty in the Morning on 105.5 Triple M.