It’s easy to see why so many of us settle for a diminished quality of life. Between stagnant wages, rising cost of living and a perpetually depressing news cycle, simply getting by is the best many people believe they can hope for. While there’s no denying that times have been tough, this doesn’t mean that you should settle for a quality of life with which you’re not fully happy. Fortunately, making major improvements to your overall quality of life is much easier than you may think.
1. Find a Good Work/Life Balance
For many of us, finding the ideal work/life balance is an uphill battle. After all, we exist in a culture that actively encourages and celebrates overwork at every turn. Working unreasonable hours, tackling exorbitant workloads and having little to no leisure time are all regarded as badges of honor by many members of the workforce. While there’s no denying that earning one’s livelihood is important, so too is finding balance. Your job may be a large part of your life, but it should neither define you nor stand in the way of your general well-being.
So, if a good work/life balance has proven consistently elusive, now is the time to take action. Most importantly, you’ll need to adhere to a set work schedule – i.e., work begins at a certain time and concludes at a certain time each day. Outside of emergency situations for which you are duly compensated, work should never be brought home and you should never remain at the office after-hours. Additionally, if your employer encourages you to accept work-related calls and answer work emails during your personal time, make it clear that this won’t be happening. No employer is owed this level of commitment, and odds are they aren’t paying you nearly enough to warrant such expectations.
Furthermore, if you’re regularly saddled with workloads and deadlines that are simply unmanageable, make your employer aware of this. Should they refuse to amend their expectations accordingly, it may be in your best interest to seek out an employer with a greater degree of respect for their workers.
2. Get Involved in Charity Work
There are numerous benefits to getting involved in charity work. Not only do charitable endeavors help improve individual lives and enact positive change in communities, they can also make you feel good about yourself and, in some cases, provide a sense of purpose.
If you’re looking to get involved in any local causes, you’re likely to find an abundance of options at your disposal. For example, many homeless shelters, animal shelters, rest homes, senior centers and soup kitchens are always on the lookout for eager volunteers. Of course, this isn’t to say that you need to be flush with free time to take part in charitable endeavors. If you’re looking for a great way to help others without placing undue strain on your schedule, why not consider donating blood? Blood donations can provide invaluable assistance to people facing certain health conditions and medical emergencies and potentially help save lives. So, if you’re interested in giving blood, don’t hesitate to contact a blood donation center near you.
3. Improve Your Sleep Habits
Not getting enough sleep can cause problems in many areas of your life. In addition to making you less alert and efficient at work, a general lack of sleep stands to turn socializing and other leisure activities into exhausting chores. Improper sleep habits are also synonymous with depression, a negative outlook and poor self-esteem. So, if your current sleep habits aren’t getting the job done, it’s time to make some changes.
To start with, give yourself a bedtime that allows for at least seven to eight hours of sleep and stick with it, even during weekends and extended periods of downtime. Secondly, to ensure that your mind and body are primed for proper slumber, take care to engage in relaxation-inducing activities like meditation, reading and deep breathing exercises in the leadup to bedtime.
Many of us take things one day at a time and believe we’re constantly at the precipice of looming disasters. However, while it’s true that we’re living through stressful, unpredictable times, this doesn’t make quality of life any less important. Furthermore, making lasting improvements to your life and increasing general happiness levels doesn’t have to be an arduous undertaking. So, if improved quality of life is what you’re striving for, remember the advice outlined above.
Article Submitted By Community Writer
