Quality of Life Matters -4 Ways to Improve it!

UPDATE: Colleen contributed to the article How to Improve Your Quality of Life by Robby Salveron for UpJourney.

De-clutter your mind. When your mind is constantly stressed, your brain produces a hormone called cortisol that can cause us to feel tired, irritable, and even depressed. The more clutter you have in your life, the more stress you will experience. Understand what causes you to feel anxious and overwhelmed, and then start cleaning up those areas of your life. Begin with the simple step of writing down everything you believe is causing you anxiety or stress. Then go through each item on this list and decide if it is something you need to keep around. If not, get rid of it! This process may seem tedious at first, but after a while, you’ll feel lighter and less burdened by unnecessary items.

Prioritize a good night’s sleep. Getting a good night’s rest is one of the most important things you can do for yourself. And when you think about the quality of life, sleep is critical to be at the top. Sleep plays a massive role in keeping your body functioning at peak performance. Studies show that people who don’t get enough sleep are more likely to suffer health problems like obesity, diabetes, heart disease, depression, and even early death. Sleeping well reduces stress, boosts energy levels, and improves mood. It also allows your mind to consolidate memories and make them into new memories. A good night’s sleep is essential to improving your quality of life.

Refrain from gossiping. Your brain is hardwired to look for errors, and you tend to focus on negative information. Negative thoughts lead to negative emotions, which leads to negative behaviors. Gossiping is an example of negative thinking. You might be tempted to talk negatively, yet refrain from doing so, and you can change your mindset. Find good in every situation and with everyone you interact with throughout your day. You will personally see positive results. As you act on this behavior(s), your life’s worldview will shift towards positivity, and everyday situations will become easier to handle.

Be purposeful in your gratitude. Gratitude is a powerful emotion that can decrease anxiety and stress and increases feelings of joy, contentment, and satisfaction. There is an abundance of opportunities in your day to show appreciation. Develop the habit of expressing thanks for small things such as the air you breathe, food, and water you drink. Take time to thank others for their kindness. You don’t have to make this complicated. Please keep it simple by starting a gratitude journal. All you need are some paper and a pen. However, you don’t even need to write anything out. Just think about everything you’re grateful for and how much you appreciate it. This simple exercise can make a huge difference in your life.

Get Support From A New Heights Mental Health Professional

New Height counselors work with you to better the quality of your life. We offer individual and couples counseling sessions and other services to help you live a happier, healthier lifestyle. Our goal is to provide you with the tools necessary to improve your mental health. Call today to learn more about our services.

Appointment Schedule (Last appointment – 4 PM)

Sunday Closed

Monday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Tuesday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Wednesday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Thursday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Friday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Evenings/Weekends by Appointment

Additional Resources:

• How to Improve Your Quality Life, by Elizabeth Scott, PhD
• 9 Powerful Questions That Can Improve Your Quality of Life, by Laurie Smith
• Welcome Video New Heights Counseling Founder & Clinical Director, Colleen Wenner

About the Author:

Colleen Wenner is the founder and clinical director of New Heights Counseling, where she provides counseling services for individuals struggling with mental health issues. She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. Colleen is a certified supervisor in Florida and an EMDR trauma-certified practitioner and consultant in training. Colleen is committed to providing excellent client care and services the Fort Walton Beach, Crestview, Niceville, Destin, and surrounding communities.

Colleen has consistently advocated for mental health wellness and has dedicated her entire life to promoting awareness among the public. She has been featured on various podcasts such as Practice of the Practice (The #1 Podcast for counselors in private practice), Shrink Think Podcast, and The Salty Christan Podcast, to name a few. She has also contributed to several articles for Yahoo Best Life, Unfinished Man, and UpJourney. Colleen uses compassionate and authentic communication to help clients understand themselves better and feel more confident about their ability to improve their lives.