How many good days do you have a year?

A new national survey revealed that the average American experiences 252 good days each year — but some states are feeling the good vibes more than others.

According to the survey of 5,000 Americans, evenly split across all 50 states, residents in Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho and Oregon all reported above-average numbers of good days.

Florida topped the list with the highest number overall, averaging 276 good days annually, and at the other end of the spectrum, Connecticut, Kentucky and Vermont reported the fewest good days per year.

The annual “Bowl Half Full” report was conducted by Talker Research on behalf of Icelandic Provisions and examined the habits, mindsets and routines that shape Americans’ daily optimism. From sleep quality to screen time, and meals to morning rituals, it uncovered what fuels a good day — and who’s having the most of them.

According to the results, people can tell whether or not they’ll have a good day by 8:30 a.m., on average.

Nearly half of Americans (46%) have a good day ritual or routine to make a standard day feel special, and many people’s good day routines are all about starting the morning on the right foot, sharing things like, “I always eat a high-protein breakfast and meditate as much as I can” and “I try to write a poem in the morning. If I get that right, I've accomplished something good.”

Another respondent said, “I start [the day] with exercise, a good healthy breakfast and a great attitude,” correlating with the survey findings that good days aren’t necessarily defined by everything falling into place, but more so by healthy habits and an optimistic mindset.

Food plays an especially important role in good days: Nearly all Americans (93%) agreed that a good day is largely dependent on getting nourishing food throughout.

Looking closer, respondents said that they need to eat high-protein (47%), low-sugar (31%) and nutrient-rich foods (28%) for their day to be considered good.

And those who have the most good days per year were also found to be some of the most likely to eat high-protein foods such as yogurt, skyr, chicken and eggs on a typical day.

The most popular flavors respondents like to enjoy on a good day are coffee (50%), chocolate (49%), banana (34%), vanilla (30%), caramel (25%) and berry (24%).

And according to the findings, good health and nutrition is the No. 1 most important thing for a happy life (49%), followed by having strong relationships (48%) and a sense of purpose (48%).

The study also found that an optimistic outlook — or seeing the bowl as half full — might be the key to unlocking a good day (51%), with enjoying healthy food (36%), laughing at the little things in life (50%) and quality time with family (50%) scoring high marks as well.

“The data shows that nutrition isn’t just about physical health — it’s a major player in how we feel emotionally,” added Marissa Karp, registered dietitian, founder of MPM Nutrition and nutrition consultant to Icelandic Provisions. “Nutrient-rich foods packed with vitamins, minerals and protein — like skyr — can give you the steady energy and balance you need to start a good day off strong and keep it going.”

Along with uncovering the components of a good day and examining how healthy habits contribute, the survey also compared optimism levels from 2024 to 2025.

For America’s optimism score in 2025, the nation gets a 6.5 overall, tallied based on qualities such as determination, perseverance and patience.

And although this score is slightly lower than 2024’s optimism score, which was 6.7, in the study, when respondents were asked if they identify more with a “bowl half full” or a “bowl half empty” mindset, 86% of Americans fall on the optimistic side.

These optimistic, “bowl half full respondents,” were found to be more perseverant, prepared and positive about their futures, along with having more good days per year than their pessimistic counterparts.

“This year’s report reminds us that optimism is more than a mindset — it’s a daily practice,” said Mark Alexander, chief executive officer at Icelandic Provisions. “We set out to explore how optimism has shifted over the past year and how it shapes Americans’ ability to have a good day. As Icelandic tradition suggests, optimism isn’t just something you feel — it’s something you do. At its core, it means setting yourself up for success, especially in health and nutrition.”

STATES WITH THE MOST GOOD DAYS PER YEAR
No.1: Florida — 276
Tied for No. 2: Delaware — 264
Tied for No. 2: Georgia — 264
Tied for No. 2: Hawaii — 264
Tied for No. 2: Idaho — 264
Tied for No. 2: Oregon — 264

STATES WITH THE LEAST GOOD DAYS PER YEAR
Tied for No. 1: Connecticut — 228
Tied for No. 1: Kentucky — 228
Tied for No. 1: Vermont — 228

Survey methodology:
Talker Research surveyed 5,000 Americans (100 from each state); the survey was commissioned by Icelandic Provisions and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between May 16 and May 27, 2025.

In this survey, Talker Research included an Optimism Barometer Index to find an overall optimism rating based on respondent's answers to 10 metrics. These questions about feelings and perceptions were each evaluated on a simple pass/fail system, resulting in a score of 0 to 10 for each respondent; to reach the overall rating (for example, by state), scores were averaged together to provide a score of that state's optimism.

We are sourcing from a non-probability frame and the two main sources we use are:
● Traditional online access panels — where respondents opt-in to take part in online market research for an incentive
● Programmatic — where respondents are online and are given the option to take part in a survey to receive a virtual incentive usually related to the online activity they are engaging in
Those who did not fit the specified sample were terminated from the survey. As the survey is fielded, dynamic online sampling is used, adjusting targeting to achieve the quotas specified as part of the sampling plan.

Regardless of which sources a respondent came from, they were directed to an Online Survey, where the survey was conducted in English; a link to the questionnaire can be shared upon request. Respondents were awarded points for completing the survey. These points have a small cash-equivalent monetary value.

Cells are only reported on for analysis if they have a minimum of 80 respondents, and statistical significance is calculated at the 95% level. Data is not weighted, but quotas and other parameters are put in place to reach the desired sample.

Interviews are excluded from the final analysis if they failed quality-checking measures. This includes:
● Speeders: Respondents who complete the survey in a time that is quicker than one-third of the median length of interview are disqualified as speeders
● Open ends: All verbatim responses (full open-ended questions as well as other please specify options) are checked for inappropriate or irrelevant text
● Bots: Captcha is enabled on surveys, which allows the research team to identify and disqualify bots
● Duplicates: Survey software has “deduping” based on digital fingerprinting, which ensures nobody is allowed to take the survey more than once
It is worth noting that this survey was only available to individuals with internet access, and the results may not be generalizable to those without internet access.