The Impact of Mindset on Quality of Life
The Impact of Mindset on Quality of Life…
and What Healthcare Providers and Patients Can Do About It
by Samantha Rodgers
Many factors impact a person’s quality of life. Often we focus primarily on physical health and, while that certainly plays a role, it’s not the only component impacting life quality. Healthcare providers and researchers have studied the effect of mindset over the past years, and have learned that what a person thinks or believes and how he or she feels emotionally also plays a role in quality of life.
According to a study conducted by the Department of Healthcare Management and Hacettepe University in Turkey, happiness or a lack thereof has a definite impact on the quality of a person’s life as they age. Similar to improving physical health with medical treatments, healthcare providers and their patients are now also working together to improve quality of life by changing thoughts and attitudes, and boosting emotions.
Improving Quality of Life by Changing the Mindset
What Healthcare Providers Can Do
- Provide or Refer to Appropriate Support. Counseling or social work support can help people who want to improve the quality of their lives. Caring, encouraging support can provide the foundation a person needs to take steps toward change.
- Be an Effective Model. Leadership sets the tone; healthcare providers are in a position to model a positive mindset for their patients.
- Work with Patients to Develop a Plan. People sometimes want to change but don’t know how to start or what to do. Healthcare providers can assist patients in creating an action plan with specific steps for increasing the presence of positivity in their lives.
What Individuals Can Do
- Open Themselves to New Possibilities. An open mind is the first tool needed to exact change. Individuals who are willing to entertain the possibility of change will pave the way toward making that change. Conversely, those who feel it’s too late or too hard to change will set themselves up for failure. A belief in possibilities is all that it takes to make the first step toward a more positive mindset, greater happiness and a belief that wellness and quality of life do not have expiration dates.
- Believe Themselves to be Worth the Effort. A negative mindset and belief system can cause a person to have poor self-worth. To change for the better, a person must acknowledge that they’re worth the effort. This can be one of the hardest things to do but, over time, can be one of the most beneficial things a person does to improve quality of life. The belief that a person deserves better can be the catalyst for making it happen.
- Emulate Someone they Admire. It’s helpful to have a role model to follow when working toward a more positive attitude. Choose an individual or group who models positivity and promotes an environment of encouragement and affirmation. Being surrounded by positive people makes a tremendous difference and can influence the individual in making important changes.
Even One Day Makes a Difference
Making any changes can feel overwhelming when a person is dealing with ill health or facing challenging life circumstances. To avoid feeling like it’s too much or too late, patients can make small changes on a daily or weekly basis. One day can indeed make a difference in quality of life with the support of healthcare providers, a plan for change and a commitment to take small steps every day. Consistent effort is required every day to change attitudes, thoughts or beliefs that have been with a person for years or a lifetime. But the quick positive impact and benefits brought about with small changes will provide people the encouragement they need to use their mindsets as a powerful tool to improve health, happiness and quality of life.
About the Author
This article is contributed by Samantha Rodgers, a writer, blogger, and health enthusiast who spends her time researching and writing about health care, healthcare needs and currently writes about becoming a member of the GSK volunteer panel for medical trials.
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