Have quality of life

Quality of life is a whole-life measure that encompasses physical health, psychological well-being, social relationships, and environmental conditions. The World Health Organization's quality of life model (WHOQOL) identifies six domains — physical health, psychological state, level of independence, social relationships, environment, and spirituality — arguing that well-being cannot be reduced to any single dimension. Diener's research on subjective well-being demonstrates that people's own assessment of their life quality is a valid and important measure that predicts health outcomes, longevity, and social functioning. The key insight from quality of life research is that optimization in one domain at the expense of others produces diminishing returns — a balanced investment across multiple life domains produces greater overall well-being than maximizing any single area. Quality of life is ultimately about designing a daily existence that supports flourishing across all dimensions of human experience.

• 1
  You have optimized one area of life — usually career or income — while other domains have significantly deteriorated
• 2
  Your daily experience feels like a grind rather than a life you would deliberately choose
• 3
  You have not stepped back to evaluate whether your overall life quality matches your potential and resources
• 4
  You tolerate a low quality of life in the present while promising yourself it will improve "someday"

Consider these questions to understand where you stand: