Things you can do today to improve your quality of life

When we hear the term "quality of life," many of us think of it as something static that we don't have much control over. We have a tendency to confuse it with "standard of living," which is related directly to wealth and is therefore difficult for many of us to change quickly. Quality of life, by contrast, is not directly related to wealth and can be achieved by forming good habits such as eating well, exercising regularly, and surrounding yourself with the right people.

With this said, check out this gallery for some things you can do today to improve your quality of life.

0 / 31 Fotos

Eat well -

It is no great secret that what you eat affects your health, and the healthier you are, the greater your quality of life. There’s nothing stopping you from tidying up that diet today.

1 / 31 Fotos

Eat well -

There is a lot of information out there about what we should and shouldn’t eat, but there’s no need to overcomplicate things. Aim to consume lots of fruits and veggies, protein, low-calorie carbs, and healthy fats.

2 / 31 Fotos

Keep clean -

We all tend to feel calmer when our surrounding environment is free of chaos. Take some time today to tidy your place, even if it’s only 15 minutes.

3 / 31 Fotos

Keep clean -

Just as we feel better when our surroundings are clean, we also feel better when we ourselves are clean. Personal hygiene is hugely important to feeling good, so don’t scrimp on those showers.

4 / 31 Fotos

Identify what makes you happy -

Granted this might not be achievable in a day, but it’s important to identify exactly what it is that makes you happy. That way you can go after it.

5 / 31 Fotos

Identify what makes you happy -

Even if you don’t come up with all the answers today, try and take at least 10 minutes to consider what you want out of life and what gives you real satisfaction.

6 / 31 Fotos

Stop stressing - Perhaps easier said than done, but it’s a good idea to try and reduce your stress levels. As we all know, stress over a sustained period can have serious health consequences.

7 / 31 Fotos

Stop stressing -

In order to put your worries into perspective, remind yourself that life is full of troubles and there will never be a time when everything’s perfect. It might sound depressing, but it’s actually quite liberating.

8 / 31 Fotos

Spend some time with loved ones -

We all have a tendency to get caught up in the business of everyday life, sometimes at the expense of spending time on the things that really matter, such as spending time with loved ones.

9 / 31 Fotos

Spend some time with loved ones -

Try and take some time today to spend with friends and family. If you’re unable to see someone in person, picking up the phone is the next best thing.

10 / 31 Fotos

Be productive -

Whether we’re aware of it or not, we all have a need to be productive in one way or another. Drifting through life is not satisfactory, and doesn’t make for a good quality of life.

11 / 31 Fotos

Be productive -

You might not write a novel or run a marathon today, but try at least to tick something off your ‘to do’ list. You might be surprised by how much more fulfilled you feel.

12 / 31 Fotos

Think ahead -

While remembering and reminiscing about the past has its place, it is important to think ahead in life. We cannot change the past, but we can impact the course of the future.

13 / 31 Fotos

Think ahead -

Focusing on the future will help you feel more fulfilled, so try to focus on how you can improve in what you're doing and how you can achieve growth.

14 / 31 Fotos

Get some sleep -

Another one that may be easier said than done for certain people: get more sleep. Getting enough sleep is important for both our mental and physical health.

15 / 31 Fotos

Get some sleep - Most people need between six-to-eight hours of sleep a night, although many of us fall short. Make an effort today to go to bed earlier; stop scrolling through your phone and get some proper rest!

16 / 31 Fotos

Exercise -

As we all know, exercise is another important component of a healthy lifestyle. No matter your current level of fitness, try and get moving today.

17 / 31 Fotos

Exercise -

It doesn’t matter if you can’t manage a full-on HIIT session at the gym—just heading out for a 30-minute walk is better than nothing.

18 / 31 Fotos

Invest in a relationship -

Human beings are social creatures, and healthy relationships can therefore increase our happiness and overall psychological well-being.

19 / 31 Fotos

Invest in a relationship - If you feel that your life is lacking in social interaction, get out there today and meet some new people. Don’t lose any more time not developing or maintaining supportive relationships.

20 / 31 Fotos

Find some meaning in your work -

Many of us have jobs that don’t please us all of the time, but that’s not to say we cannot find any meaning in what we do.

21 / 31 Fotos

Find some meaning in your work -

Take some time today to think about what you enjoy about your work. If you really can’t think of anything, it might be time for a change.

22 / 31 Fotos

Take time to relax -

With all the busyness and pressures of daily life, it can sometimes feel as if we’re always on the back foot and never have enough time to get everything done.

23 / 31 Fotos

Take time to relax -

Despite this, it is important to take some time to relax every day. As the old saying goes, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.”

24 / 31 Fotos

End a toxic relationship -

Just as positive relationships increase our quality of life, negative ones tend to decrease it. If you suspect you are trapped in a toxic relationship, make moves to end it today.

25 / 31 Fotos

End a toxic relationship -

Of course, it can be difficult to untangle yourself from a toxic relationship, but it all starts with identifying the problem and making a plan to disconnect from it.

26 / 31 Fotos

Smile -

The positive effects of smiling are well-documented. Indeed, the physical motion of smiling sends an impulse to the brain to alter our neurochemistry.

27 / 31 Fotos

Smile - Make an effort to smile today, even if you’re not feeling particularly sunny. You may be surprised by how much it actually lifts your mood.

28 / 31 Fotos

Read and learn -

Like it or not, reading is a great way to learn things and unlock doors. Take some time today to peruse a newspaper, magazine, or book.

29 / 31 Fotos

Read and learn -

Even if you only manage 15 minutes, that would be better than nothing. Even better, however, would be to make a daily habit of reading.

30 / 31 Fotos

Things you can do today to improve your quality of life -

With this said, check out this gallery for some things you can do today to improve your quality of life.

Shutterstock

0 / 31 Fotos

Eat well -

It is no great secret that what you eat affects your health, and the healthier you are, the greater your quality of life. There’s nothing stopping you from tidying up that diet today.

Shutterstock

1 / 31 Fotos

Eat well -

Shutterstock

2 / 31 Fotos

Keep clean -

We all tend to feel calmer when our surrounding environment is free of chaos. Take some time today to tidy your place, even if it’s only 15 minutes.

Shutterstock

3 / 31 Fotos

Keep clean -

Just as we feel better when our surroundings are clean, we also feel better when we ourselves are clean. Personal hygiene is hugely important to feeling good, so don’t scrimp on those showers.

Shutterstock

4 / 31 Fotos

Identify what makes you happy -

Granted this might not be achievable in a day, but it’s important to identify exactly what it is that makes you happy. That way you can go after it.

Shutterstock

5 / 31 Fotos

Identify what makes you happy -

Even if you don’t come up with all the answers today, try and take at least 10 minutes to consider what you want out of life and what gives you real satisfaction.

Shutterstock

6 / 31 Fotos

Stop stressing - Perhaps easier said than done, but it’s a good idea to try and reduce your stress levels. As we all know, stress over a sustained period can have serious health consequences.

Shutterstock

7 / 31 Fotos

Stop stressing -

Shutterstock

8 / 31 Fotos

Spend some time with loved ones -

We all have a tendency to get caught up in the business of everyday life, sometimes at the expense of spending time on the things that really matter, such as spending time with loved ones.

Shutterstock

9 / 31 Fotos

Spend some time with loved ones -

Try and take some time today to spend with friends and family. If you’re unable to see someone in person, picking up the phone is the next best thing.

Shutterstock

10 / 31 Fotos

Be productive -

Whether we’re aware of it or not, we all have a need to be productive in one way or another. Drifting through life is not satisfactory, and doesn’t make for a good quality of life.

Shutterstock

11 / 31 Fotos

Be productive -

You might not write a novel or run a marathon today, but try at least to tick something off your ‘to do’ list. You might be surprised by how much more fulfilled you feel.

Shutterstock

12 / 31 Fotos

Think ahead -

While remembering and reminiscing about the past has its place, it is important to think ahead in life. We cannot change the past, but we can impact the course of the future.

Shutterstock

13 / 31 Fotos

Think ahead -

Focusing on the future will help you feel more fulfilled, so try to focus on how you can improve in what you're doing and how you can achieve growth.

Shutterstock

14 / 31 Fotos

Get some sleep -

Another one that may be easier said than done for certain people: get more sleep. Getting enough sleep is important for both our mental and physical health.

Shutterstock

15 / 31 Fotos

Shutterstock

16 / 31 Fotos

Exercise -

As we all know, exercise is another important component of a healthy lifestyle. No matter your current level of fitness, try and get moving today.

Shutterstock

17 / 31 Fotos

Exercise -

It doesn’t matter if you can’t manage a full-on HIIT session at the gym—just heading out for a 30-minute walk is better than nothing.

Shutterstock

18 / 31 Fotos

Invest in a relationship -

Human beings are social creatures, and healthy relationships can therefore increase our happiness and overall psychological well-being.

Shutterstock

19 / 31 Fotos

Shutterstock

20 / 31 Fotos

Find some meaning in your work -

Many of us have jobs that don’t please us all of the time, but that’s not to say we cannot find any meaning in what we do.

Shutterstock

21 / 31 Fotos

Find some meaning in your work -

Take some time today to think about what you enjoy about your work. If you really can’t think of anything, it might be time for a change.

Shutterstock

22 / 31 Fotos

Take time to relax -

With all the busyness and pressures of daily life, it can sometimes feel as if we’re always on the back foot and never have enough time to get everything done.

Shutterstock

23 / 31 Fotos

Take time to relax -

Despite this, it is important to take some time to relax every day. As the old saying goes, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.”

Shutterstock

24 / 31 Fotos

End a toxic relationship -

Just as positive relationships increase our quality of life, negative ones tend to decrease it. If you suspect you are trapped in a toxic relationship, make moves to end it today.

Shutterstock

25 / 31 Fotos

End a toxic relationship -

Of course, it can be difficult to untangle yourself from a toxic relationship, but it all starts with identifying the problem and making a plan to disconnect from it.

Shutterstock

26 / 31 Fotos

Smile -

The positive effects of smiling are well-documented. Indeed, the physical motion of smiling sends an impulse to the brain to alter our neurochemistry.

Shutterstock

27 / 31 Fotos

Smile - Make an effort to smile today, even if you’re not feeling particularly sunny. You may be surprised by how much it actually lifts your mood.

Shutterstock

28 / 31 Fotos

Read and learn -

Like it or not, reading is a great way to learn things and unlock doors. Take some time today to peruse a newspaper, magazine, or book.

Shutterstock

29 / 31 Fotos

Read and learn -

Even if you only manage 15 minutes, that would be better than nothing. Even better, however, would be to make a daily habit of reading.

Shutterstock