What Does “Quality of Life” Mean to You?

When I was growing up, no one talked about the concept of “Quality of Life.” Especially, not around the playground.

I can’t even tell you if I ever even heard my parents talk about it or even my grandmother.

But when I got into college and began studying physiology, anatomy and all sciences related to how we work, it became a bit of a buzz word.

Quality of life this, quality of life that and to be honest, it sort of lost its impact.

You knew that the ultimate outcome of whatever we did, it was to preserve or even increase the client’s quality of life.

They can’t climb stairs easily, okay, their program reflects that and how to increase their current quality of life.

They’re in pain, okay, their program reflects pain management and how to increase their current quality of life.

It just because an expected addition that didn’t mean as much because you did it for everyone.

It just didn’t mean as much. It didn’t have the impact that it used to or that it even should.

Blah blah blah quality of life blah blah.

But then it hits close to home.

And all of a sudden quality of life comes back into the forefront of health-care because either you or someone you know and love is being affected by a lack of it.

But why only now?

Why isn’t Quality of Life something that remains front of mind regardless of our current health situation or that of our family and loved ones?

Because it’s too easy to forget.

It’s a common thing- you don’t notice something until it either disappears, stops working or causes pain.

Simple as that.

We don’t really need something until it’s no longer right at our fingertips.

I challenge you now to start thinking about what Quality of Life means to you.

Right now you may be healthy. Or not.

Right now you might be able to walk, run or climb stairs without pain. Or not.

Right now you might be able to shop for your own groceries, bring them home and stock your cabinets yourself. Or not.

Where ever you are in the spectrum of health, of quality health, of quality living, you need to start looking at what you can do to not only maintain your current status but to also improve it.

You cannot convince me that if you are in poor health that there is not one single thing that you can do that will improve your quality of life.

Likewise, you cannot convince me that if you are in “perfect” health that there is not one thing that you can also do to improve your quality of life.

How do I define quality of life?

For me, quality of life is the summation of all the things that I do for myself that nurture me for my highest good.

Quality of life is in the healthy foods and drinks that I put into my body.

Quality of life is in the healthy habits around exercise and movement that I have adopted and continue to adopt as I get older.

Quality of life is in choosing healthy, adult relationships that support me in my growth as an individual that are free from manipulation, control and drama.

Quality of life is in the extreme measures I take in self-care.

So tell me again, how does the concept of “Quality of Life” play out in your world?

What is something that you can do to improve upon your current status?

Even if you cannot see anything that can be improved, search a little deeper. Could you be enjoying the company of a friend more? Can you be enjoying your creativity or that of someone else more?

What is that one thing that you can do?

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