Quality of Life and Healthy Lifestyle: 35 Practical Tips for a Worry-Free Life

My older brother was a Benedictine priest. One of his instructions for me was - never worry about anything; it might never happen. As I got older and experienced life, I learned to add, even then don't worry about it. It too will pass.

Borrowing anxiety from the future serves no purpose. If your worries about tomorrow do not materialize, you've squandered your mental peace. Even if they do, you've worried twice over. Instead, adopt these habits for a healthier, more enriching life.

This timeless wisdom speaks volumes about how we often let worries consume us, leading to a lower quality of life. As an OB/GYN physician, I frequently counsel patients on quality of life and achieving peace of mind.

Some practical steps to live a healthier, more fulfilling life, focusing on reducing stress and promoting overall well-being.

Prioritize Sleep and Time Management

1. Go to bed on time: Adequate sleep is the foundation of a healthy lifestyle. Aim for 7-8 hours of quality sleep each night. You will do better if you can get in the habit of making this the same time every evening. You will find this to be more effective.
2. Get up on time: A relaxed morning routine sets a positive tone for the day. Avoid rushing and enjoy your mornings. Three of the major causes of stress are hurry, worry, and curry (eating food too spicy or too much of it).
3. Say No: Don't overcommit. Learn to say no to projects that don't align with your schedule or well-being. As an OB/GYN physician, I found this to be a frequent occurrence with women. I wrote a blog on this problem..

 Simplify and Delegate

1. Delegate tasks: Don't try to do it all. Delegate tasks to capable individuals to free up your time and energy. As a surgeon, I found this to be an essential priority. A good crew with dedicated nurses can simplify your life, making it more enjoyable to do your work.
2. Simplify and un-clutter: A cluttered environment often leads to a cluttered mind. Simplify your surroundings for greater peace. This is true for most people, but not for all. Personally, my desk is usually cluttered with pages that were essential to my medical practice and I could reach with ease. To each his own.
3. "Less is more" isn't just a saying, it's a lifestyle. Prioritizing quality over quantity—whether in possessions, activities, or relationships—can profoundly impact your well-being. As the saying goes, the poorest person in the world is the one with the most desires. I've personally found more joy in saving for something meaningful and waiting until I can truly afford it, rather than impulsively accumulating unused items.

Slow Down and Pace Yourself

1. Allow extra time: Avoid rushing by allocating more time than you think you'll need for tasks and travel. Start early, drive slowly, and arrive safely.
2. Pace yourself: Break down big projects into smaller, manageable steps. Don't overload yourself.
3. Take one day at a time: Focus on the present moment rather than dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. One of my favorite books is “Be Here Now”, by Ram Dass. If you are not in the moment, it will be less enjoyable.

 Manage Worries and Finances

1. Separate worries from concerns: If it's a concern, address it. If it's a worry you can't control, let it go. Learn to accept the things you cannot change, the courage to change the things you can, and the wisdom to know the difference. One of the crucial things I have learned is from the Bhagavad Gita - "the wise man accepts whatever he gets". As an aside, this is the best book I have ever read, and is available from Amazon for $6.95. The version by Swami Prabavananda and Christopher Isherwood is best for the English version.

1. Live within your budget: Avoid unnecessary debt and financial stress by using credit cards wisely. Don’t buy anything you cannot afford.

 Prepare and Protect Yourself

1. Have backups: Keep extra keys, stamps, and other essentials on hand to avoid unnecessary stress.
2. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut): Sometimes, saying less can prevent misunderstandings and conflicts. Good speech is silver. Silence is pure gold. Some of my worse mistakes in this lifetime was not observing this practice.

 Nurture Your Inner Child and Interests

1. Do something for the Kid in You: Engage in activities that bring you joy and tap into your playful side. Life is an adventure of the spirit.
2. Carry a book: Reading while waiting in line or during downtime can be a relaxing and enriching habit. I average one book a week, and am never bored. I also taught my kids this. On vacation with my youngest daughter in Del Mar, California, I had to leave the beach every day to buy her a new book. She ended up getting a scholarship to Stanford.

 Self-Care and Healthy Habits

1. Get enough rest: Prioritize sleep to recharge your body and mind.
2. Eat right: Nourish your body with a balanced and healthy diet. Eat 3 meals a day. Your body’s metabolism works better when you leave it empty for four hours. And never snack (well, almost never).
3. Get organized: Having a designated place for everything promotes efficiency and reduces stress.
4. Listen to inspiring content: Use your commute or free time to listen to audiobooks or podcasts that uplift you. Or just read.
5. Write down thoughts and inspirations: Journaling can be a therapeutic way to process emotions and capture ideas.
6. Find time to be alone: Solitude allows for self-reflection and recharging. For me, this is essential for meditation time.
7. Talk to someone: Don't bottle up your problems. Seek support from friends, family, or professionals when needed.

 Build Relationships and Connect

1. Make friends: Cultivate meaningful relationships for social support and a sense of belonging.

Laugh and Embrace a Positive Attitude

1. Laugh: Laughter is a powerful stress reliever and mood booster. And smile more; if you see someone without a smile, give him one of yours. They are free.
2. Laugh some more: Find humor in everyday situations and don't take yourself too seriously.
3. Take your work seriously, but not yourself: Maintain a healthy perspective on your career and responsibilities.
4. Develop a forgiving attitude: Most people are trying their best. Let go of grudges for inner peace. And learn to see the “child” in other people who are having a bad day. If you treat them with love instead of anger, both yours and their day will be better.
5. Be kind to unkind people: Kill them with kindness. Their negativity might stem from their own struggles.
6. Sit on your ego: Humility and self-awareness are key to personal growth.

 Listen, Slow Down, and Practice Gratitude

1. Talk less; listen more: Active listening strengthens relationships and fosters understanding. This is extremely important to men who are trying to impress women. One of my favorite stories it the man who, after talking about himself for an hour to his date, says, “Enough about me. Let’s talk about you. What do YOU think of me?”

      2. Slow down: Embrace a slower pace to appreciate life's simple pleasures.

      3. You're not the general manager of the universe: Release the need to control everything. Or said another way, “Who made you God.”

1. Practice gratitude: Before bed, reflect on one thing you've never been grateful for before. This simple practice can shift your perspective and cultivate a positive outlook.
2. And MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL: Put God in your life. Shitty days are inevitable - and this is the best way to get through them.

 By incorporating these tips into your daily life, you can significantly enhance your quality of life and overall well-being. Remember, a healthy lifestyle isn't just about physical health; it encompasses mental, emotional, and social well-being as well.