P : Positive emotions : The moments consisting of positive moods , perspectives , or sensations , including feelings of happiness , gratitude , closeness , confidence , peace , hope , and inspiration .
E : Engagement : Periods of time when we are so caught up in the moment or activity we are working on that we have clarity and focus , time seems less relevant , and we are risen to our best . This is frequently associated with ' Eustress ', which is the polar opposite of distress .
R : Relationships : The quality of our relationships is very highly interwoven with our overall quality of life . The strength of our social support structure or ' Personal Safety Net ' is fundamental to many of our coping skills . Resiliency when facing challenges in our lives often stems from past or present interactions . Our relationships may contribute to our quality of life and invoke positive emotions . There are a select few who thrive more abundantly in solitude or in the company of an animal or pet . Often , these individuals focus on their relationship with themselves rather than with those around them .
M : Meaning : How well our work and personal relationships relate to our ideas of fulfilling a " greater purpose ," contribute enormously to our self-esteem and confidence to continue to strive . When you know what you value and live according to those values , you improve the quality of your life . The opposite is a feeling that we are wasting our time on trivial tasks that do not contribute to a greater cause . A sense of meaning is often easier to come by if what we do somehow contributes to the needs of a community we are a part of .
A : Accomplishment : A sense of accomplishment is closely tied to how efficiently we are able to complete our " to do " lists . But , it can also include the simple positive emotion that comes from completing an already-solved problem like a sudoku puzzle , or level of a video game .
H : Health : Not referenced in the original list , but worth including here , is the quality of our physical well-being , including how much pain we are in , how much mobility we have , and what our physical capabilities are . According to Gallups ' research on global well being , the quality of our sleep plays a critical role in overall quality of life - if we are not getting enough quality rest , we are far more likely to be emotionally overwhelmed and , in turn , less productive .
We make many many choices every day that affect our quality of life , but most of our routines ( how we start our day , what we choose to eat ) and standard reactions ( eating when we are anxious , cursing at other drivers if they frustrate us ) are made on autopilot .