7 Ways to Immediately Improve Your Happiness and Quality of Life
Happiness is one of the most critical components of your quality of life. Many different things can influence or impact general happiness, including the people around you, the activities that you do, and your environment. If you find yourself reaching for ways to increase your quality of life, consider diving into the tips below.
Take a Day Off
It’s important to take a day off from work every once in a while, even if your schedule is busy. It may sound counterintuitive, but taking time off from work can improve your performance. It allows you to relax and recharge so that you return to work with fresh ideas and renewed energy.
Taking time off is also important because it helps you avoid burnout. If you’re constantly working on something without taking breaks, it can be hard to maintain focus and enthusiasm. Taking time off lets your brain rest, which helps you stay alert and engaged when you return to work.
Contact an Old Friend
You might have a friend who you haven’t talked to in a while, or maybe you just haven’t had the chance to meet up with your old friends. Studies have shown that having good relationships and social support can improve your overall well-being. For example, one study found that people with more friends were less likely to develop heart disease. When it comes to mental health, studies have found that being able to open up about your feelings is associated with lower rates of depression and anxiety.
And not only can communicating with friends make you feel better about yourself, but it also helps you feel happier. One study found that having close friends increases happiness by as much as 25%.
Find Something To Be Grateful For
The word gratitude comes from the Latin word gratus, which means “pleasing.” In other words, gratitude is a thankfulness that contributes to your happiness. Gratitude is important because it allows you to appreciate the world around you as it is in the moment. When you’re grateful for what you have, it can make all the difference in how you approach the day ahead.
Update Your Wardrobe
Clothes can’t make you a better person or make you more successful — but they can have an impact on how you see yourself and whether you feel good about yourself.
Maybe it’s time for a wardrobe overhaul. Maybe it’s time to get rid of those clothes that don’t fit right anymore, haven’t fit right since college, or don’t make you feel good anymore. Not only will this help your closet look more organized and less overwhelming, but it will also help your self-esteem.
Consider an Elective Procedure
Elective surgery can help correct something that has been a constant source of stress or discomfort, but isn’t necessarily an urgent or life-threatening medical issue. This can include plastic or reconstructive surgeries to mitigate snoring, augment your appearance, or even make walking more comfortable.
LASIK can help you ditch the stress of contact lenses and glasses so that your vision isn’t constantly holding back your ability to do things like swimming or reading at night. The potential improvement in quality of life from having improved vision could be drastic.
Go on a Vacation
Like most people, you may believe taking an extended break from work is a luxury. You might think it’s something you do when you have nothing better to do or can afford to miss out on some of your paychecks.
A sabbatical is where you take a long break from work and spend time doing something different with yourself, exploring new things, and experiencing new cultures. It’s also important to note that sabbaticals aren’t just for executives at big companies; they’re also available for anyone who has worked at least three years in their current job.
So why should you take these kinds of breaks? Because they allow you to step back from your life and see things from a different perspective. When you step away from your desk or office, you can focus on other important things: friends, family, hobbies, or even just relaxing and doing absolutely nothing.
Learn Something New
To keep your brain sharp, you must stay interested in new things. It’s not enough just to read the newspaper or listen to the radio — you need to find something that will challenge your brain and make it grow.
For example, if you’re interested in history, try watching a show on your preferred streaming platform that explores the history of something you wouldn’t usually think about — like World War II, but from a different perspective. Or, if you’re an artist, try painting or sculpting something completely unfamiliar: maybe a portrait of a person whose face is never shown or a sculpture made entirely from toothpicks. Find something that will inspire you and get your mind working.