How to Improve Your Quality Life

Maintain Healthy Relationships

Relationships play an important role in mental health. Research shows that not only can healthy and supportive relationships increase your happiness, life satisfaction, and psychological well-being, they can also reduce the risk of suicide.

However, not all relationships are created equal. Negative relationships can create toxic situations involving conflict and stress. Disconnecting from unhealthy relationships and fostering healthy ones is vital to your well-being.

Get a Good Night's Sleep

Whether you're staying up late because of your job or to catch up on social media, there is so much going on in our lives that seem to take precedence over a good night's sleep. But sleep is an integral part of a healthy lifestyle.

The quality of your sleep directly affects your mental and physical health. It also affects the quality of your life, including your productivity, emotional balance, creativity, and even your weight. No other activity delivers so many benefits with so little effort.

Get Moving

Regular exercise has a profoundly positive impact on your physical and mental health. Not only does it trim your waistline, but it can also curb depression, relieve anxiety, improve your memory, and help you sleep better, all of which boost your overall mood.

You don't have to be a fitness fanatic to reap these benefits. Research indicates that even 30 minutes of exercise a day can make a difference. Joining a group fitness class, working out with a friend, and scheduling a regular workout time are just a few tactics you can use to keep you motivated and inspired to exercise.

Find Meaning in Your Work

The career you choose can form part of your identity and shape how you feel about yourself. Working in a job you view as meaningless and directionless can be physically and emotionally draining no matter the size of your paycheck or your title.

While it may not be possible to change your career paths, that doesn't mean that you can't still find meaning in your life, either by restructuring your workday or taking part in other gratifying activities like charity work and hobbies. Engaging in gratifications and other flow-producing activities can infuse more meaning into your work, making it more enjoyable.

Plug Your Energy Drains

Most of us have a few things in our lives that drain us of our energy on a daily basis. These are known as tolerations, and they come in many shapes and forms. They can take the form of a disrespectful co-worker or unresolved conflict with a family member. They can even be small, seemingly inconsequential things like a cluttered table in your home or a clothing alteration you've been putting off.

No matter how big or small they may seem, tolerations have a way of accumulating and weighing you down. Learning how to identify and eliminate your tolerations will give you more energy for doing things that you enjoy.

Make Time for Leisure

Do you ever feel like there is never enough time in the day to do the things you want to do? Yes, life is busy, and most of us have enough work to occupy all of our time—times two. But if you're not allowing yourself time to relax and have some fun, you could be doing yourself a big disservice.

Leisure time is more important than many people realize. Research shows that engaging in a leisure activity not only lowers your stress levels and improves your mood, but it also enhances your problem-solving skills.

So indulge yourself with a pleasurable activity and watch your mood and productivity improve. You might even find yourself more energized and excited about doing those things you have to do—or at least not dreading them.