30 Quick & Healthy Ways to Improve Your Quality of Life

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Life coach Leah Morris shares simple steps to better your life & yourself

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IN THIS ARTICLE

1 Get ready every morning.

2 Be kind to others.

3 Let yourself be bored.

4 Silence your phone for an hour.

5 Spend time in nature.

6 Avoid doing things that drain you.

7 Find activities that energize you.

8 Pursue your passions.

9 Spend time with positive people.

10 Spread love and positivity.

11 Avoid comparing yourself to others.

12 Drink plenty of water.

13 Eat nutritious foods.

14 Stay active.

15 Set goals for yourself.

16 Celebrate your achievements.

17 Create routines.

18 Budget your money.

19 Spend time decluttering.

20 Use positive affirmations.

21 Start a gratitude practice.

22 Start journaling.

23 Read a book.

24 Learn something new.

25 Practice mindfulness.

26 Prioritize rest and sleep.

27 Volunteer in your community.

28 Get involved in a fulfilling hobby.

29 End toxic relationships.

30 Enforce personal boundaries.

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Co-authored by Leah Morris and Samantha Fulton, BA

Last Updated: August 17, 2026 Fact Checked

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If you feel like your life could use a change, we’re in the right place. Whether you’re in a rut or you need some tips for continued self-improvement, we’ve got you covered. For this guide, we’ve partnered with life coaches to give you the best ways to improve your quality of life, starting now! Keep reading for simple steps you can take to start bettering your life and yourself.

How do you start improving your life?

Life coach Leah Morris recommends taking simple steps like getting ready every morning, silencing your phone, spending time in nature, and letting yourself be bored. Other ways to improve your life include being kind to others, pursuing your passions and hobbies, setting goals for yourself, and eating healthy.

Steps

1

Get ready every morning.

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1. This will give you a small accomplishment every day. Morris lists this as a small thing you can do to improve your life. She adds that it can be a nice reset and a way to start the day off in an organized way. Each morning, try your best to get dressed, do your hair, and go through the motions of getting ready for the day (even if you’re staying in).

   • Making your bed is another great small thing to do at the start of every day, so you can kick things off with a sense of achievement.

   Meet the wikiHow Experts

   Leah Morris is a life coach with over 6 years of experience. She is the owner of Life Remade, and she specializes in guiding people through minor and major life transitions.

   Guy Reichard is a self-leadership coach with over 15 years of experience. He helps clients navigate challenges, overcome self-doubt, and grow into purposeful leaders.

   Lucy Yeh is a life coach with over 20 years of experience. She has worked with professionals of all levels to improve their careers, relationships, and life balance.

   Taylor Rochestie is a life coach, author, and speaker. He applies his experience as a professional basketball player to motivate others to create joyful, authentic lives.
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2

Be kind to others.

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1. Pouring into someone else’s cup can help fill yours, too. Life coach Lucy Yeh recommends performing small, random acts of kindness to live a more fulfilling life. “Pay for the person behind you when you get your morning coffee, help someone grab a can off a high shelf in the grocery store, or leave a generous tip for servers during the holidays,” she suggests. When you start offering kindness to others, you may find yourself feeling vitalized and excited about your own life.

3

Let yourself be bored.

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1. Allow your brain to rest every once in a while. According to Morris, having moments of boredom is a great way to improve your quality of life. “Allowing yourself to be bored is a really friendly, loving thing to do to your brain,” she emphasizes. Try spending 15 minutes per day letting yourself and your mind completely relax—you might be surprised what a difference this will make for your wellbeing.
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4

Silence your phone for an hour.

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1. 
   Unplugging for a bit can improve your mood. Morris agrees this is a simple way to give your brain a break and boost your quality of life. Your phone can distract you and pull you out of the moment, so try to spend some time away from your screen. When you turn off those pesky notifications, you'll get interrupted less and will probably get more done.

   • If an hour sounds like a really long time for you, start with just 15 minutes and gradually work your way up as you feel more comfortable not needing to look at your phone.

Quiz

wikiHow Quiz: What Kind of Reality Check Do I Need?

We all have blind spots, especially when it comes to the ways we treat others (and ourselves). Unfortunately, it can be pretty tough to take an objective look at what your own weak points are. We’re here to help. Take this quiz to rip off the Band-aid and see what your blind spots really are.

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5

Spend time in nature.

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1. 
   Spending time outdoors can help you feel better. Simply spending time outdoors can improve your brain activity and functioning, blood pressure, mental health, physical health, and sleep. Morris suggests going for a walk without your phone, so you can just unplug and let your mind wander.

   • If you live in a more urban area, try to spend some time in a park or anywhere you can be around a little green.
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6

Avoid doing things that drain you.

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1. Removing energy drains from your life can boost your wellbeing. Obviously, there are certain draining activities that can’t be avoided, like work or school. However, if there are unnecessary drains on your happiness or energy that you can eliminate, don’t be afraid to unburden yourself. While it’s good to stay busy, try to cut down on excess so you don’t spread yourself too thin.

   • For instance, if you find a certain group of people in your life exhausting to be around, try spending some time away from them.

7

Find activities that energize you.

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1. Do things that light you up! Try getting out and about and picking up new hobbies that make you feel excited. Maybe you’ve been dying to try hot yoga, or maybe there’s a knitting club at your local coffee shop you want to check out. No matter what it is, putting yourself out there and finding activities you enjoy is a great way to improve your quality of life.
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8

Pursue your passions.

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1. Following your passions can seriously improve your situation. Life coach Guy Reichard emphasizes the importance of prioritizing your values if you want to improve your quality of life. If you’ve been just going through the motions, try to make some time for the things you’re passionate about.

   • For example, if you work a corporate job and are dying to be creative, try and carve out some time to do an art project or write a short story on the weekends.

9

Spend time with positive people.

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1. 
   Positive people can energize you and boost your enthusiasm. Reichard says spending time with people you love is a great way to improve your life. Nourish the positive relationships you already have and try to branch out and find other enthusiastic people to spend time with. Dedicate yourself to spending more time with the people in your life who you feel really make you feel motivated, accepted, and loved.

   • Bonding over a shared passion is a great way to make new friends! Join a local club or organization (check MeetUp and similar apps) to meet some new like-minded people.
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10

Spread love and positivity.

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1. Embracing positivity can go a long way. Reichard recommends nurturing positivity by practicing appreciation and gratitude and savoring the moment. Sometimes it can be hard to be positive, but try your best to look on the bright side and notice all that you have to be grateful for.

   • Spreading love and positivity can also draw more positive people into your life.

11

Avoid comparing yourself to others.

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1. Remember that the grass is always greener on the other side. Life coach Taylor Rochestie says this is a huge change you can make to improve your quality of life. He adds, “If you’re going to compare, compare yourself to who you were and who you want to be.” Focus on yourself and who you want to be, rather than what you think other people are doing better than you.
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12

Drink plenty of water.

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1. 
   Improve your overall health by staying hydrated. Staying hydrated improves your skin, digestion, and energy level. You'll find that you're able to concentrate and think more clearly when your body is nourished. Carry a water bottle with you so that you always have some on hand when you need it.

   • Limit your consumption of coffee, soft drinks, and other caffeinated beverages, or alcohol. These all have a dehydrating effect.

13

Eat nutritious foods.

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1. 
   A well-balanced diet helps you look and feel your best. Aim to eat a variety of foods every day, including plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Add lean protein, such as poultry or fish, and healthy whole-grain breads. You'll feel fuller throughout the day and not be as tempted to grab fast food or snack on junk food.

   • Don't have time to cook? Set aside a few hours one day a week to prep most of your meals for a week or two. You can freeze anything that you're not going to eat within the next day or two.
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14

Stay active.

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1. 
   Incorporating physical activity into your daily life can make you happy and healthy. You have so many opportunities throughout the day to be more active than you already are—embrace those opportunities, and you could feel so much better! Try setting a step goal and use your smartphone or a smartwatch to track your steps throughout the day. You'll quickly start noticing all of these little chances you have to be more active throughout the day.

   • For example, if you're going to a meeting in an office on the fourth floor, you might take the stairs instead of the elevator. Too many stairs? Walk up 2 or 3 flights and then catch the elevator from that floor.
   • When you're at a store or shopping center, park on the outside edge of the parking lot so you'll have a bit of a walk to the front door and back.

15

Set goals for yourself.

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1. 
   Track your progress with goals that are measurable and specific. Reichard recommends that you start with goals that honor your values and reflect who you are and what you care about. Then, come up with a schedule for meeting milestones related to your goal. Setting SMART goals gives you a path to continued growth and learning, which can drastically improve your life.

   • For example, suppose you want to lose 20 pounds. When you dig down, you discover that what you really want is to be more active and physically fit and feel more confident in your own body. Create goals that are aligned with that purpose.
   • Having a hard time getting something off the ground? No problem. Reichard advises that as long as you keep more of your focus and energy on outcome than difficulties, you’ll give more power to possibilities than problems.
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16

Celebrate your achievements.

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1. 
   Boost your self-esteem by recognizing your successes. Big or small, you deserve to take a moment and express your excitement when you accomplish something—maybe even share it with others. When you make a big deal about your achievements, you remind yourself that you're capable of great things. You'll naturally start to focus more on the things you do than on the things you fail at.

   • Reichard emphasizes that you should "take one step at a time, honoring values along the way and celebrating milestones and the learnings that you've gained."
   • Having trouble deciding where to go next? Reichard advises that you "keep visiting the vision of the achievement or goal to know where you're headed, make sure you're still on track and aligned, and get back to the next step ahead of you."

17

Create routines.

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1. 
   Consistent routines can make it easier to get through the day. It's hard to let go and relax when you're trying to keep track of a mile-long list of things you need to do. Routines allow you to turn small tasks into easy habits. Once you get set in your routine, you may find that you feel less stressed and anxious.

   • The other wonderful thing about routines is that they enable you to have more confidence in yourself. Completing your routine makes you feel great about yourself and gives you the motivation to take on your day.
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18

Budget your money.

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1. 
   Get more in control of your finances with a flexible budget. What a routine will do with your time, a budget will do with your money. Take a moment to list your income and expenses, then figure out how to organize things to create your budget. When you understand how your money works, you're better able to plan for the future and save for the unexpected.

   • You might also use a budgeting app, which you can typically connect to your bank account and use for reminders of upcoming bills.

19

Spend time decluttering.

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1. 
   A clear space can help you have a clear mind. Take some time to eliminate clutter in your living space. You may be surprised by how much difference such a small change can make. You might find it’s easier to focus and get work done with a clear space in front of you.

   • Cleaning also gives you a great opportunity for some healthy multitasking, so crank up the tunes or listen to an interesting podcast while you're at it, and the time will seem to go by even faster.
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20

Use positive affirmations.

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1. 
   Focus on the positive to reduce stress. When you think positively, you're naturally more resilient and better able to recover from setbacks along the way. Simply repeating a personal affirmation for 5 minutes each morning and each night before you go to bed can have a profound effect on your outlook and overall mental health.

   • Reichard notes that "to be truly comfortable in our own skin, we need to realize the truth of who we really are—a being worthy of love and acceptance—and that we are safe and free to be who we are."

21

Start a gratitude practice.

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1. 
   Remembering what you’re grateful for can improve your outlook. Reichard agrees that spending time remembering what you appreciate in life can really raise your vibe. Set aside 5 minutes or so each day to think of 5 things to add to your gratitude list. Try not to repeat! The act of focusing on things that you're grateful for can rewire your brain to focus on the positive and help improve your overall mood and outlook on life.
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22

Start journaling.

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1. 
   A journaling practice helps you regulate your emotions. When you write in a journal every day, you get down your thoughts and feelings about your life so that you can examine them and better understand how you're dealing with things. You'll likely be able to spot issues more quickly so that you can deal with them before they get out of hand. Overall, you may feel as though you're in better control of yourself and your life.

   • Journaling can also help you clear your mind and keep you from obsessing over things quite as much as you might if you weren't journaling.
   • Don't beat yourself up if you miss days or can't commit to journaling on a daily basis. As long as you're writing in your journal when you feel called to do so, you'll still reap plenty of benefits from the practice.

23

Read a book.

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1. Reading is a great way to expand your mind and decompress. Morris lists reading as a simple way to relax your brain and boost your mood. This is a good way to get away from spending too much time on screens. Plus, reading can be a great escape if you need to spend some time away from your responsibilities.
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24

Learn something new.

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1. Explore ways to expand your horizons. Whether it’s learning a new language or starting classes at your local university, learning something new is a great way to improve your quality of life. This will get you out of your comfort zone, and it can wake up your brain and build flexible thinking. Plus, if you choose the right thing, you may even notice that new opportunities are starting to come up!

25

Practice mindfulness.

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1. 
   Try yoga or meditation to bring your mind into the present. Reichard says practicing mindfulness can help you cultivate peace and simplicity. When you meditate or do yoga, you give your brain the tools it needs to focus. These practices also help you stay in the moment, which can reduce stress and relieve anxiety. If you keep up a daily practice, you'll likely notice a big difference in your mental state within just a few weeks.

   • If you're new to meditation, a guided meditation app, such as Calm or Headspace, can help. Most of these apps include both a limited free version and a premium version that requires a monthly subscription.
   • You might also try mindful eating, when you slow down to taste and actually enjoy and appreciate the food that you eat while you're eating it without doing anything else.
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26

Prioritize rest and sleep.

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1. 
   Make it a priority to start each day refreshed and rested. Morris emphasizes the importance of a full night’s sleep. “It helps you be more resilient to stress and improves your cognition,” she explains. You'll already feel like your life is at least a little better if you've gotten plenty of sleep the night before and wake up ready to tackle the day. It helps to have a regular bedtime routine and try to go to sleep and wake up around the same time every day. That helps set your internal clock so that you start to get tired when it's time for bed and wake up well-rested.

   • If your schedule has to be more fluid, leave yourself about an hour before bed to turn off all electronics and wind down for sleep. This routine will signal to your brain that it's time to start slowing things down.

27

Volunteer in your community.

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1. 
   Improve your own life by improving someone else's. Volunteering gives you the opportunity to learn new skills and build on existing ones while also connecting with your community. You'll feel a greater sense of belonging—and might even make some new friends—by doing good deeds and helping out your neighbors, whether for a nonprofit organization or just casually on your own.

   • For example, you might volunteer with the local animal shelter to help walk the dogs. But you could also just do this on your own by walking your disabled neighbor's dog for them.
   • Reichard "would encourage people to discover this impact or difference they want to make because if they did, they would have authentic motivation to fuel them to bring it to life. And once they do start serving that purpose, and making that impact, they would experience a soulful fulfillment."
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28

Get involved in a fulfilling hobby.

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1. 
   Find fun and fulfilling ways to spend your time. There's never been a better time than the present to whittle down that bucket list. What's something you've always wanted to try? Seek out resources in your community and give it a shot! Who knows—you might find your next greatest passion.

   • If you're not sure where to get started, Reichard recommends that you remember what used to bring you joy, excitement, and enthusiasm. Did you really enjoy playing soccer as a kid? See if there's a community league you can join.
   • Reader Poll: We asked 397 wikiHow readers how they prefer to get out of their comfort zone, and 52% of them said doing something they’ve never done every single day. [Take Poll]

29

End toxic relationships.

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1. 
   Distance yourself from people who are dragging you down. Reichard adds that it’s best to let go of toxic and abusive relationships if you want to improve your life. If there's someone in your life that always leaves you feeling drained or frustrated, re-evaluate your boundaries with that person. Have a serious talk with them about how you feel and be ready to cut off the relationship entirely if that's what you have to do. This can be super tough, especially if the person has been in your life for a long time, but you'll feel better for having stood up for yourself.

   • If your circumstances dictate that you have to cross paths with a toxic person, do your best to limit your contact with them. Do what you can to avoid speaking to them or being around them when you don't absolutely have to.
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30

Enforce personal boundaries.

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1. 
   Refuse to put up with behavior that makes you feel uncomfortable. If you feel as though someone in your life is taking advantage of you, take the time to let them know how you expect to be treated. Remember that the people who care for you can't respect your boundaries if they don't know what they are! When you let them know, they feel respected and cared for.

   • For example, if you have a friend who is consistently late and that bothers you, you might say, "I feel disrespected when you show up late. From now on, if you're more than 10 minutes late and I haven't heard from you, I'm just going to leave."
   • Enforcing your boundaries is part of being assertive. If you have a hard time with this, Reichard recommends that you "reframe or redefine assertiveness. It's wise, reasonable, and makes perfect sense to be on your own side, to stand up for yourself, and to express what you want."

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