A healthy lifestyle is an integrated pattern of behaviour that helps a person achieve optimal health. It includes eating a nutritious diet, getting regular exercise, avoiding tobacco and excessive alcohol, and managing stress levels. A healthy lifestyle also supports mental well-being and reduces the risk of developing chronic diseases.
The term “lifestyle” is often misused and misunderstood, causing confusion and preventing scientific research from developing new and effective interventions. To address this problem, this article reexamines different definitions of the concept of lifestyle from both psychological and sociological perspectives.
Sociological definitions of lifestyle consider the concept on the level of thoughts and actions, whereas psychological definitions focus on internal dimensions such as values and attitudes. These different approaches have contributed to the development of a variety of models and definitions of the concept of lifestyle. The aim of this paper is to highlight the main characteristics that characterise lifestyle and its relationship with health.
According to Weber, lifestyle is a form of collective socialisation in which people who share the same consumption habits are classified into status groups. He considered the lifestyle to be an expression of a person’s social class, associating it with different levels of fulfilment of the needs for security and recognition: some were oriented toward the need to satisfy themselves (inner-directed) while others focused on the need to obtain recognition by other people (hetero-directed).
More recent sociological trends have linked lifestyle to consumption patterns and the concept of consumerism. These theories consider the idea that consumers make choices based on their own preferences and needs, influenced by cultural, environmental, and economic factors. They also identify the role of media and marketing in shaping consumer behaviour.
These trends have led to the emergence of several new concepts of lifestyle, such as the healthy lifestyle. The healthy lifestyle is an integrated pattern of behaviour that promotes a balance between work, family, and leisure. It aims to prevent and treat health problems, such as high blood pressure, obesity, and heart disease. It also aims to improve quality of life by increasing energy levels and reducing the risk of depression and anxiety.
The lifestyle of a person is shaped by their personality, beliefs, and values. It can be influenced by many factors, including age, gender, education, and location. For example, a person in an urban environment will have different lifestyles than a person living in the countryside because of the differences in culture and environment. In addition, a person’s views on politics, religion, health, and intimacy can influence their lifestyle. Finally, the way in which a person manages stress and interacts with other people can affect their lifestyle. For these reasons, a lifestyle is an extremely complex topic to study. Changing one’s lifestyle can have profound effects on the body and mind. This is why it is important to understand how to live a healthy lifestyle.
