We all deserve a better quality of life, where we can enjoy health, family, friends, and happiness. We can build better habits and stop that vicious circle of living from work to home and being constantly stressed.
Life doesn’t have to be monotonous, and shouldn’t be that difficult.
As a mother, wife, and professional I understand the importance of a well-balanced life. So, today, I am going to share practical ways to improve your quality of life so you can live with more positivism and enthusiasm.
Practical Ways to Improve Your Quality of Life
To improve your quality of life and reduce stress, it is necessary to stop overloading your days and learn when it is time to sleep and relax. It is essential to Appreciate what you Currently Have, laugh frequently, find a hobby, take care of your diet, foist good relationships with others, keep learning new things, and make physical activities part of your everyday life.
Do Not Overload Your Days
We know that we have to push hard in order to achieve our goals. But when you get your feet on the ground, having kids and a family you realize that life is too short. The effort put forth to acquire material things is not worth a missed chat with your friends or a game with the family.
Finding the balance between your job and what’s really important is key to improving your standard of living and most importantly quality of life.
My husband and I went through the process of deciding between pursuing quality of life or pursuing financial wealth, we decided on QoL as our best course.
Being successful in a profession does not guarantee a good quality of life since success can sometimes only mean material triumph. Don’t take me wrong, financial wealth allows you to buy nice things and enjoy luxury places.
Keep in mind, good quality of life fills your heart and this is what brings you closer to true happiness.
Have Clear Goals and Don’t Forget To Appreciate Your Ride
The majority of our dreams can come true if we put in the effort. To pursue your goals it is essential to be clear about where it is that you want to go in life and how you want to get there.
In the same manner, don’t forget is not in our hand to control everything; injustice, people lose jobs, sickness, people die, etc. What’s important is to keep walking toward your ambitions but please don’t forget to ENJOY the RIDE, every day has its own adventure.
Learn to appreciate the journey as much as the destination. To do so, you need to stop being on autopilot. Sometimes we forget to enjoy the day because of unnecessary worries and unconscious anxiety about the future. Be aware of every moment. Enjoy the day, have fun!.
Follow Your Passion | Get into a Hobby
With the prolonged stress caused by our vast responsibilities and lifestyles, it is common to feel that you don’t have time for a hobby.
According to medical studies, people with hobbies, especially ones involving outdoor activities, are less likely to suffer from low mood, bad stress, or even depression.
The time you spend doing an activity you enjoy is fundamental for a healthy body and good quality of life. So, find something that brings you the tangible joy you deserve.
For those who don’t have a hobby yet, here is a perfect time for you to find your passion. It can be a matter of trying and testing.
2021 Hobbies People Find Enjoyable:
- Outdoor activity such as Biking and cycling
- Camping/ hiking
- Gardening or landscaping
- Writing a Blog
- Aerobic dancing Such as Zumba
- Team Sports
- Playing Musical Instruments
- Photography
Stop Your Task To sharpen your Ax | Learn when You Need to Relax
For a more balanced life slow down your activities and relax. But, don’t believe me, try yourself.
In fact, medical research keeps validating that people that are always rushing and worrying are at double the risk of experiencing autoimmune diseases, cancer, anxiety, and joint inflammation. All because of having prolonged stress.
On the other hand, the bible also confirms it, “there is time for everything and a season for every activity”. So, let’s relearn how to spend quality time with family and friends.
If you notice you are feeling constant fatigue, a lack of patience, or easily irritated, then maybe is your body telling you to rest. This is akin to a woodworker who stops cutting down trees to sharpen their ax before continuing on.
Do what is more important and slow down the rest. In order to improve the quality of life, you need to take time to decompress. Go on vacations, to a soccer game with your family, enjoy the beauty of nature, retake some of your past hobbies, become your best version.
Get Enough Rest Time
You know it is late, you feel super tired but you start thinking you deserve some personal and pleasure time. Then, you turn ON the TV or have the brilliant idea of opening the phone to check emails, Facebook, Instagram, and so on.
But, if you want your stress levels in check for a better-balanced life, have less time in front of your phone and get enough time to sleep.
If falling asleep is difficult at night, there are some tools that are proven to help such as using a weighted blanket or drinking Chamomile tea. Enough sleep is essential for your body and mind to recover and restore yourself.
Is all about making better choices, begin your days with a fresh mind and body, get more sleep!
According to National Sleep Foundation guidelines, seniors over 65 years need 7 to 8 hours, adults between 7-9 hours, teenagers, 8-10 hours, and preschoolers between 10 and 13 hours
Laugh More Be Open to Humor
Always look for the positive side of each situation and if possible add humor to it. Be aware that facing a difficult situation with a negative or aggressive outcome only causes things to get worse. On top of that, this type of approach affects your physical and emotional well-being.
Give yourself permission to laugh, especially during challenging times as it decreases your levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. If you allow yourself to laugh more, this positive sensation is a therapy, very useful, healthy, and doesn’t cost you anything.
Laughing out loud allows you to experience a mood boost almost instantaneously and that helps for a better mood overall.
“A day without laughter is a day wasted.” -Charlie Chaplin
Appreciate what you Currently Have and Have A positive Outcome of Life
It is essential to stop looking for perfect scenarios since idealism only hurts your emotional health. Is true, there is no perfect mom, the best husband, kids, or job as it is all in our standards and perception.
However, choosing to be positive and appreciate whatever you have in the present, will give you peace of mind, less opportunity for depression, and better-coping skills during times of stress.
You do not need to have a lot of money to improve your happiness and quality of life. You can see daily proof of it with the rich and famous around us often experiencing very sad lives.
People who learn to get a positive outcome out of everyday situations show to be happier and healthier. You can do it!
But…, If keeping motivation is your challenge, see what Zig Ziglar has to say.
“People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing – that’s why we recommend it daily. “ -Zig Ziglar –
Find your way!
Make Physical Activity Part of Your Daily Routine.
Through this entire blog, I can not emphasize enough the importance of physical activity. Through the years I have learned the amazing benefits of exercise, it is the fastest way to combat stress and mental fatigue.
Early in the morning, at lunchtime, or even after work, find the time to increase your heart rate. It does not need to be at a gym. A simple 15-minute brisk walk around your neighborhood can help you boost creativity and a better mood. As a result, you will enjoy a happier life and more controlled stress levels.
But, I know the reality, putting exercise as a habit can be very challenging. So, if you ask me how to do it, the best way is to commit yourself for the first 30 days. After that, it will start getting easier and easier.
To start on the right foot, choose a type of workout you will enjoy. It doesn’t matter if you begin trying a couple of them.
My favorite workout activities:
- Jogging indoor/outdoors
- Riding a bike
- Jumping on a fitness trampoline
- Dancing
If you notice, these activities have four things in common: They are a form of a cardio workout, easy to start and follow, fun to do it and really powerful to restore your mood and overall emotional health.
>>>If you want to know How to ensure your workout success click here…
Bet on a Healthier Diet
More and more people are choosing to eat healthier. If we want quality of life you need better healthy eating at home. It is best to establish a healthy eating habit to avoid future health problems. Choosing Consciously what you and your family are going to eat daily and weekly can prevent obesity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.
Eating healthier is really a smart habit to get into. To do so, it is convenient to incorporate fruits and vegetables into your diet, and never skip breakfast since it is one of the most important meals of the day.
The more you are aware of what you eat and how it affects your energy and mood, the better you will feel. Developing good eating habits is a step forward towards a better life.
Foster Good Relationships With Others
Good relationships are linked to a better life, this is because humans are meant to work in collaboration and care for each other. Meaning we don’t need to reinvent the wheel in this matter, fostering good relationships allows for positive change and growth.
As Henry Ford said, “Coming together is a beginning and working together is success”. Fostering a good relationship is vital for a positive state of mind.
Tips to foster Good relationships:
- Be flexible and embrace changes: doing so will lead you to personal growth and can give you new perspectives and opportunities to improve.
- Do Not only hear but pay attention and listen to what your partner is saying. You will only understand people’s points of view by understanding their perspective. Knowing why they think or act in certain ways is what helps you understand each other, even if you do not agree all the time.
- Keep your words clear and specific. Keep your communication clear and address one issue at a time.
- Keep your family and Professional life in balance
- Hug others and ask to be hugged. During a period of my life, I remember constantly asking my husband to hug me more because I felt I needed it. I would tell him to do so at least twice a day and it’s because hugging has healing power. So don’t be shy, ask for a hug if you feel the need to.
Develop a Student Mindset
People with a student mindset are more confident and as a result, are able to better manage life and self-esteem.
Be open to changes, new knowledge, and challenges. It will not only make you smarter but will help you grow as well as pushing yourself to be better. When you are open to learning from others, your possibilities of growth are endless.
Spend at least 30 minutes each day learning new things. No doubt, we all have something to teach and learn.
Advantages of learning new things every day:
- Opportunity to be more in control
- Give you freedom and wisdom
- Empower you to understand more about people’s life
- Allow communicating better with others
- Have positive and better quality friendships.
- It improves your confidence and overall life
Final Thoughts
Starting slow and small with different and positive habits to improve your quality of life is something possible and viable. Taking action daily will help you progress toward better health and life.
Let’s become more human by improving the quality of life.
If you have any questions or ideas, share your thoughts below, we are here to learn and grow together.
To Your Success!
_ Ria
References:
“Engagement with natural beauty moderates the positive relation between connectedness with nature and psychological well-being, Journal of Environmental Psychology”, Study, Volume 38, June 2014, Pages 55-6 – https://www.sciencedirect.com/
“Therapeutic Benefits of Laughter in Mental Health: A Theoretical Review”, study, 2016 Jul; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
“The impact of emotional well-being on long-term recovery and survival in physical illness”: a meta-analysis, study, 2011 Sep 15, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
Lackey NQ, Tyson DA, McNay D, Jyner L, Baker KH, Hodge C. Mental health benefits of nature-based recreation: a systematic review. Journal of Leisure Research. August 21, 2019. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/11745398.2019.1655459