Reconsidering the Concept of Lifestyle

A lifestyle is the set of behavioural habits, attitudes, and values that characterise a person's life. These can include food choices, health habits, exercise routines, personal beliefs and values, work patterns, and the way they organize their time. A healthy lifestyle is one that enables a person to live in good physical and mental condition, while reducing their risk of serious illness.The concept of lifestyle has been defined in different ways by researchers from various disciplines. These definitions and results are often not comparable to each other, making it difficult to compare studies. Moreover, it is not clear how these definitions relate to the concept of health. This paper aims to shed light on these issues by considering the main models and theories of lifestyle in the psychological and sociological fields, reconsidering them along three dimensions: internal, external, and temporal.Psychologists have been occupied with the concept of lifestyle since the first decades of the twentieth century. Alfred Adler was the first to define it as a style of personality, arguing that the framework of guiding principles and values developed in an individual's early years determines his or her reactions and behaviour throughout life.Others analysed the lifestyle in terms of the way an individual uses his or her resources. For example, Berkman and Gilson analysed the lifestyle of a person by assessing his or her consumption behaviours. Their study highlighted that consumption behaviours can be a way of communicating status-role identities, as well as of associating meaning with daily activities.Finally, other readings considered the social context of a person as a source of their lifestyle. According to this view, the lifestyle of a person can be determined by their social group or class, and it is differentiated from other people's lifestyles through their common culture. It can also be affected by the location in which they live, such as whether they are located in a rural environment or urban metropolis.Theories that prefer an external interpretation of lifestyle are more anchored in sociological concepts and research. They emphasise that the lifestyle of a person is the result of his or her sociodemographic characteristics, preferences, and choices, and that it can vary from one individual to another. They also consider that the choice of lifestyles is determined by a variety of factors such as available options and levels of freedom, the quality of available services, and cultural, geographic, and historical characteristics.The final trend in the discussion of the lifestyle construct focuses on a vision of health practices as part of a person's lifestyle. This approach emphasises the importance of a holistic understanding of health, including physical, mental, and spiritual aspects. It views a healthy lifestyle as a person's ability to live in harmony with his or her life circumstances and the natural and cultural environments that surround him or her. It includes a range of healthy activities and habits such as regular exercise; balanced diets; abstaining from smoking and taking nonessential drugs; and restful sleep.

How to Differentiate Your Hotel From the Competition

A hotel is a managed building or establishment that provides guests with lodgings on a short-term basis in exchange for money. There are a number of different hotel classification guidelines that vary across countries, but they all typically adhere to a similar standard in terms of room sizes and amenities.While hotels provide a range of benefits to both travellers and the industry as a whole, there are also countless challenges that come with operating one. From managing guest expectations and maximizing revenue to maintaining quality and retaining staff, the hospitality industry has a lot on its plate.Regardless of the size or scope of your property, it is important to understand how to differentiate your hotel from the competition. Differentiating your hotel allows you to capture the attention of travellers and ensure that it is a worthwhile booking decision for them. To do so, consider your target market and what kind of experience will most appeal to them. Tourists, for example, may require a basic, clean and quiet hotel in the heart of a city whereas business travellers are more likely to look for a suite with a large desk and high speed internet.In addition, it is important to differentiate your hotel by highlighting the unique experiences and amenities you offer. For example, you can create a sense of luxury by offering unique in-room features such as a personal assistant or an in-room sauna. You can also enhance your reputation by featuring local artwork, partnering with artisanal brands or supporting social enterprise initiatives.Another way to increase your hotel’s popularity is by promoting it on social media channels and through travel blogs. This can lead to an influx of new guests and a boost in your hotel’s overall star rating.It is also essential to understand the value of customer feedback. Not only does this help you to improve your overall customer experience, but it also enables you to identify and address any issues that might be occurring at your hotel.The hospitality industry is a fast-paced and competitive environment, so it’s crucial to keep up with the latest technology to stay ahead of the curve. Fortunately, there are many software solutions that can help you streamline your processes and enhance the customer experience. SiteMinder, for example, provides a robust platform that empowers hoteliers at every touchpoint of the guest journey. With its suite of hotel management tools, you can maximize visibility on all OTAs and your website while improving pricing strategy with real-time market data. Get started with SiteMinder today!