Just a few days ago, the Alaska news was direly reporting on a recent survey ranking Alaska "the most violent state" in the nation. Then low and behold, about 24 hours later, Gallup releases their poll ranking Alaska as the happiest state! #1 ranking for "well-being" in the nation-- most purposeful, healthy, with the best sense of community in the US!!
Now, if anyone in the lower 48 happened upon these two crazy conflicting surveys--they would most likely say "huh????" But as a seasoned sourdough Alaskan, it makes perfectly ridiculous sense to me!
Yes, Alaska can be both safe, happy and violent! And that's because we have something that's lacking elsewhere: space. We have so much room to spread out, that anyone can plop down and live a quintessential Norman Rockwell lifestyle, while miles away-- another community drowns in excessive alcoholism and violence.
And having enough room to spread their wings is so much more important to humans than they can ever realize. Note, how the happiest states are always huge and empty of other pesky people! States like South Dakota, Colorado, Wyoming.. (Well Hawaii is happy and small--but how can you not be happy in Hawaii?)
Meanwhile, states in the squished together East Coast rank high for excessive stress, blood pressure...etc.. (surprise!) Ever see 40 hamsters stuffed into a small cage? Not pretty.
And when you are around so many crazed hamster humans, you can't help but start rat racing with them!! Take it from stress-free Alaska, where there is a common saying: "Relax, this ain't the lower 48!"
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