Tim Phillips Show, 8/26/26

Americans take pride in being hard workers, and research shows we put in an average of 18-hundred hours a year on the job. To compare, that’s 468 hours more per year than Germans work, but 405 fewer than Mexicans do. Nearly half of workers in the U.S. don’t expect to use all their allotted vacation days this year. But those in some areas put in more hours than others and a new report tells us where they are.

WalletHub has just come out with their ranking of the hardest-working states for 2026.
They judged each state on 10 key indicators, including average workweek hours, share of workers with multiple jobs, average commute time, and annual volunteer hours per resident.
Based on all that and more, this year’s hardest-working state is South Dakota. The state has the highest employment rate in the country at 98% and 6.5% of workers have multiple jobs.
The study finds that Alaska has the highest average workweek hours, while Massachusetts and New York tie for the lowest. Utah has the highest number of volunteer hours per resident, and Arkansas has the lowest.
Overall, Michigan lands at the bottom of the list, making it the least hard-working state. It’s followed by Oregon and New Jersey.
The Top 10 Hardest-Working States

Montana is 17th

South Dakota

North Dakota
Alaska
Hawaii
Wyoming
Nebraska
Texas
New Hampshire
Tennessee
Georgia
Source: WalletHub

One-Hit Wonder - NOTHIN' MY LOVE CAN'T FIX    JOEY LAWRENCE    #19 in 1993

Born on 4/20/1976 in Montgomery, Pennsylvania. Teen actor/singer. Acted on TV’s Gimme A Break, Blossom and Brotherly Love.

Behavioral experts are sharing their favorite mental health “cheat codes.” These techniques can help when you’re just feeling tense or moments away from a mid-workday meltdown. And the best part? You can do them almost anywhere.

Hum your favorite song - If it’s not inappropriate or too embarrassing, the top recommendation is to hum or sing your favorite song, or any song, for about 30 seconds. Humming “creates gentle vibrations” that can help activate the parasympathetic nervous system, plus it gives your brain something to focus on other than spiraling thoughts and worrying.
Change your speed - Try switching up the pace and speed of whatever you’re doing, since we tend to speed everything up when we’re anxious. Intentionally slowing down everything, from reaching for coffee to turning a doorknob, can signal to your body and mind that there’s no emergency and it’s okay to calm down.
Put both feet on the floor - This one couldn’t be easier, all you need to do is plant your feet on the floor and notice what you physically feel. Pause for 10 to 20 seconds with your feet flat on the floor and notice the pressure under them, the texture of your shoes or socks, and how your weight is distributed. It’s literally grounding your attention and that can help interrupt rumination and bring thoughts back to the present moment.
Find five circles - Take a visual break and challenge yourself to find five circles in the room or count everything blue you can see. This cheat code also works to redirect your attention from worry back to the present.
Make one tiny decision - Stress can feel overwhelming, making it hard to get anything done. So, instead of trying to solve everything, make one small decision you’ve been avoiding or do one tiny thing right now. This can make you feel more in control and be surprisingly calming.
Source: Real Simple