What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you think – the quality of life?
There is a misconception that is simply referred to as the standard of living. However, I hope that after reading the quote above, you know that the meaning of ‘quality of life goes well beyond that.
I always say that time is the one thing you cannot get more of in life. The time you have is precious and you deserve to spend that time living your best life.
In this post, I will take you through the 15 life hacks that will improve your quality of life. I hope that one day you can look back on your life with no regrets and feel content that you made the most of every moment.
How to improve your quality of life with these simple hacks.
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How to improve your quality of life?
#1 Check Your Circle.
I wanted to put this one first because I really believe that this is vital but often overlooked. The people in your life have a direct impact on you. Whether you are consciously aware of it or not. I think that is part of the danger here, most of the time we are not aware of it and we absorb the values, morals, habits, and everything of the people in our lives.
Have the strength to step away from time to time and evaluate your circle and who you spend time with. You know the quote: “You are the average of the 5 people you spend the most of your time with”.
It does not mean that you must cut people out who do not hold the same life views but have the necessary self-awareness not to let them blindly influence you in a way that might not be serving who you are.
Equally, if you want to acquire a particular skill spend time with people who already have the skill. Learn from them. If you want to create a particular habit, spend time with people who are already doing it. If you want to achieve a goal, spend time with people who have already achieved it.
#2 Disconnect From Unhealthy Relationship.
As much as good relationships can lift you up and elevate your life, a bad crowd can destroy it. I am sure everyone has some experience of someone who was toxic or someone who tried to bring you down. It is very easy to say “ I won’t let them get to me” but it is much harder to live by this rule. And many times, particularly when the toxicity comes from someone we trusted or a close relationship, it is difficult not to let it get to you.
Unfortunately, the best way to deal with this situation is to put boundaries and distance between you and that person. You need to protect yourself. The extent of those boundaries is for you to decide.
Learn to recognise when someone is genuine. At times people will say something that you do not like to hear, not because they are toxic but because they care. That is constructive and you might want to consider taking it on board. However, other times, it will come from a bad place.
You will know because your gut feeling will tell you. Your first instinctive reaction is the right one. Listen to that gut and check-in with yourself.
#3 Plug Your Energy Drains.
Is there anything that is draining your energy right now?
Whether it is a relationship or family life or your job or other commitments, do not let routine make you feel like there is no other way.
Do a life audit and see where most of your energy is going and if there is anything you can do to ease things. Often times this is the hardest step in the short term, but the benefits are worthwhile in the long term. On the other hand, staying in the same energy-sucking rut, might seem like the simpler option short term but will cost you over the long term.
Which option would you rather choose?
#4 Find Meaning in Your Life.
This can come from any aspect of your life, but you want to be able to wake up every day and feel like there is a purpose to your life. A reason to get up in the morning. It seems like such a simple thing, but I truly don’t think many people live this way.
The hustle of today’s hectic world does not allow time to even explore who we are. Too many people fall into the rat’s race to collect a paycheck at the end of the month for 50 or so years, working extensive hours just to get by. Humans are creatures of habit, we tend to go on autopilot not questioning anything.
This way of life leaves little room for you to even stop and explore if you are happy and what it is that you truly want out of life. Your quality of life will skyrocket when you find that meaning in life.
I wanted to remind you to take a step back for a moment and evaluate your life, who you are, what makes you happy, what makes you unhappy, and what your ultimate purpose is. What would add meaning to your life?
#5 Follow Your Curiosity.
Be curious! If something catches your interest explore it. Curiosity keeps your heart full and your mind open and you never know it could lead you somewhere you never even considered.
Following your curiosity also means you generally have a growth mindset and are always willing to learn something new and tap into your full potential.
Being curious and following that curiosity can help you find your purpose and ultimately improve your quality of life.
#6 Identify What Makes You Happy.
Am I happy right now?
When was the last time you asked yourself this question?
As mentioned before, we humans often run-on autopilot and only realise that something is not making us happy too late into the game. This might be a depressing thought, but you can certainly turn this around.
Happiness is a journey. Often, it is an experience that helps us identify what makes us happy. Many times, the negative experiences and lessons give us a much better clue to our happiness, than the positive experiences.
Whether you learn through experience or whether you do a deep dive into your inner self, define what happiness means to you. Once you identify it, then work backward decide what changes are needed for you to achieve that ultimate happiness and feeling of contentment so you can elevate your quality of life.
#7 Keep Moving Forward.
When you are going through tough times just keep pushing forwards. Do not let the circumstance consume you so much that you stay stuck. If there are challenges in your life just keep going.
If you keep going you will eventually come out on the other side. It is tough and it takes some mental exercise, but this will serve you long term and you will become mentally strong for when the next storm hits!
#8 Minimise Stress.
There are a lot of reasons to feel stressed nowadays. Jobs are stressful. An unexpected world crisis is stressful. Balancing the different commitments is stressful.
We have more on our plates than we have ever had before. It is easy to start feeling overwhelmed as you try to manage it all.
The current way we live has us believe that feeling overwhelmed is normal. That somehow the busier you are, the more stress you are under and the less balance you have in your life, it somehow means you are more successful. Do not fall for this BS because it is society’s biggest con.
Being in a constant state of stress and anxiety is not normal and it is not healthy.
Too many people have become so accustomed to being under pressure all the time that they lost the ability to recognise it is time to relax.
If you find your cortisol is running on a constant high, then take a moment to figure out why. What is the biggest contributor to your stress and more importantly what can you change to make it better?
Take control and action because if you do not then you run the risk of burning yourself out.
#9 Meditate.
Meditation is not something that will change your life overnight. It is a practice that takes practice to master. Not everyone is willing to give mediation enough time to experience its full benefits.
However, this small daily habit has the power to change the quality of your life if you give it a chance.
It will help to reduce your stress levels, it will calm your anxiety, it will make you less reactive to situations beyond your control, it will help you sleep, it will help you get in touch with yourself, it will make you calmer and more focused.
These benefits will not only improve your quality of life in one area but all areas of your life.
#10 Get Good Night’s Sleep.
Do not underestimate the power of a good night’s sleep.
You will be a different person and the world around you will seem like a friendlier place when you invest in sleep.
You will get more done; you will be more efficient and less susceptible to stress. Plus, you will have a much more positive mindset and will have the energy to better deal with any mishaps during the day.
Sleep is always worth investing in and it will serve your quality of life both short-term and longer-term. To find out more about the benefits of sleep read my blog posts on this topic.
#11 Get Moving.
Ramp up your energy levels, feel healthier and more confident – those are only a few of the benefits of moving your body.
Not to mention the avalanche of health benefits that will ultimately serve your life in the long run.
Movement in the form of any exercise will improve your quality of life today by reducing your stress levels, flooding your body with happy hormones, and giving you lots of energy. But as you get older, you will be thanking yourself that you took the time to invest in your health so you can enjoy your life as you grow and get older, rather than spending it in poor health.
#12 Keep Learning Everyday.
Do not put a time limit on your education. What you learn in school and college should only be the tip of the iceberg. There are so many interesting subjects to dive into and skills to acquire that school will never be able to trach you. Invest in continually improving yourself and thereby improving your quality of life.
There is always more to learn and there is always more wisdom to be gained. You never know when and how knowledge will serve you.
Keeping your brain busy and continuously seeing improvement in yourself will give you a sense of purpose and fulfillment.
#13 Become Financially Savvy.
Financial education deserves its separate entry because this is something that only a tiny percentage of people invest in. Learning how to manage your money is probably the most worthwhile investment you can make.
Unless you make the conscious effort to educate yourself and find out more about the topic, you will fall into the trap that 98% of the population lives in. Or you will blindly adopt the habits of your parent without ever having the ability to question if their attitude to money was the right one.
There are so many misconceptions about money in today’s society and it is easy to fall into the dogma.
Don’t make that mistake because just because 98% of the population follows a certain path does not mean it is the better option. It only means it is easier!
If you haven’t yet read Robert Kiyosaki’s book Rich dad Poor dad it is the perfect way to start your education. I have read many books, but few have had such a fundamental effect on my life. The book will shape your mindset on how to think about your finances and identify all the societal traps most of us fall into. If you want to gain clarity and know how to make money work for you, rather than work for money your whole life – this book is for you!
#14 Practice Gratitude.
Despite all the above things, your quality of life largely depends on your mindset.
I think what many people don’t realise is that if you are not able to be satisfied with your life as it is right now, then you never will be. It doesn’t matter what your level of success is or how much money you are making or what you look like. Even if things improve you will only be chasing more to achieve the next milestone. You will never be satisfied, and you will never reach that happiness.
Appreciate what you have now and feeling content with where you are is so powerful. It does not mean you can go and chase after better things, but you do not attach all your happiness to the next milestone. You are happy with where you are right now.
Practicing gratitude is a powerful tool that can help you to concentrate on the good things in your life and help you notice that although things might not be perfect yet, there is a lot to be grateful for.
Try these gratitude prompts:
(you can write them down or just think them through in your mind)
- What’s something about your health or body that you are grateful for?
- What’s an accomplishment you are proud of?
- Think of someone in your life that makes you feel safe?
- What are three qualities you love about yourself?
- What or who makes you laugh?
- Who makes you feel loved?
- How have you shown someone you love them this week?
#15 Don’t Avoid The Hard Things In Life.
The difficult task or step is usually the most worthwhile pursuing to improve your quality of life.
The best things are usually on the other side of your comfort zone. The initial difficulty of moving past them will make the rest of your life 100x better. So whenever you are faced with a difficulty remember this and have faith that after this moment things will only get better.
NEED A LITTLE MORE GUIDANCE? THEN ASK YOURSELF THESE SIMPLE 5 QUESTIONS TO GET STARTED:
Important questions to ask yourself to improve the quality of your life.
- Am I learning from past events?
- Are my current beliefs, perspectives, or mental models serving me or sabotaging my efforts?
- Do I have a fixed or growth mindset?
- What hard things am I avoiding?
- Will my future self be proud of how I am spending my time now?
On a final note.
Practice these 15 hacks to improve your quality of life and watch your life transform. If you need a quick check through here is a reminder of them.
- Check Your Circle
- Disconnect from an unhealthy relationship
- Plug Your Energy Drains
- Find Meaning in Your Life
- Follow your curiosity
- Identify what makes you happy
- Keep moving forward
- Minimise Stress
- Meditate
- Get Good Night’s Sleep#
- Get Moving
- Keep learning every day
- Become Financially Savvy
- Practice gratitude.
- Don’t avoid the hard things in life.
So which one are you going to implement first?