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Trending Videos Close this video playerThe percentage of Americans considered to be "thriving" is on the decline while the number of individuals classified as "suffering" is higher than ever before. While this isn't a positive trend, the good news is that people who want an improved quality of life can achieve this goal.
If this sounds like a monumental task, it's worth noting that it's possible to improve life quality, along with happiness and well-being, without having to make drastic changes. Here are six steps that, when taken, help work toward this effect.
Healthy relationships, adequate sleep, and regular physical activity can all contribute to an improved quality of life. A person can also improve life quality by finding meaning in their work, resolving energy drains, and making time for things they like to do.
Hosted by therapist Amy Morin, LCSW, this episode of The Verywell Mind Podcast featuring actress and author Ali Landry, shares strategies for living your best life. Click below to listen now.
Our interactions with others can affect our mental health. Research shows that not only do healthy and supportive relationships increase happiness, life satisfaction, and psychological well-being, but they also reduce the risk of suicide.
Conversely, negative relationships can create toxic situations filled with conflict and stress. Disconnecting from these unhealthy interactions and fostering healthy ones is vital to personal well-being.
Ways to maintain healthy relationships include:
Not getting enough sleep can negatively affect our productivity levels, emotional balance, creativity, and even our weight. Yet, getting a good night's rest is often lower in priority than other things we have going on.
Even if we're tired, bedtime may be pushed back to get more work done, catch up on social media, or watch our favorite TV shows. But sleep is an integral part of a healthy lifestyle, making it a priority if we want an improved quality of life.
Regular exercise has a positive impact on both physical and mental health. Not only does it trim the waistline, but it can also curb depression, relieve stress, improve memory, and contribute to better sleep —all of which improve mood.
Research indicates that even 30 minutes of exercise a day can make a difference. If sticking to regular daily exercise is difficult, joining a group fitness class, working out with a friend, and scheduling a consistent workout time are a few ways to stay motivated and inspired.
Working in a job that feels meaningless or directionless can be physically and emotionally draining, no matter how much it pays or the title it carries. The career we choose even affects our identity and shapes how we feel about ourselves.
If work no longer has purpose or meaning, taking these actions can help:
Changing careers is another option. But if this isn't possible, that doesn't mean that we can't still find meaning in our lives. Taking part in other gratifying activities, such as charity work and hobbies, can also help.
Engaging in flow-producing activities, or activities that take our complete focus, can infuse more enjoyment into our lives.
Several things can drain our energy throughout the day. For some, it may be a disrespectful co-worker or an unresolved conflict with a family member. Even small, seemingly inconsequential things like a cluttered table or a task we've been putting off can lower our energy stores.
These types of stressors have a way of accumulating and weighing us down. Learning how to identify and eliminate them or, at a minimum, reduce their effects leaves more energy for doing things that we enjoy.
To reduce energy drains:
Many of us have enough work to occupy all our time—times two. But if we're not allowing ourselves to relax and have some fun in addition to taking care of our responsibilities, we could be doing ourselves a huge disservice.
Research shows that engaging in a leisure activity not only lowers stress levels and improves mood, but also enhances problem-solving skills. It may even leave us feeling more energized and excited about the things we have to do.
This makes learning to embrace leisure time important for an improved quality of life. Ways to do this include:
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
By Elizabeth Scott, PhD
Elizabeth Scott, PhD is an author, workshop leader, educator, and award-winning blogger on stress management, positive psychology, relationships, and emotional wellbeing.
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