A healthy lifestyle is an important part of a person’s well-being. It helps reduce the risk of diseases, extends life expectancy, and saves money. It is also a key factor in reducing stress and promoting mental health. A healthy lifestyle consists of a variety of aspects, including diet, exercise, stress management, and socialisation. Often, a person’s lifestyle is influenced by their environment and culture. A lifestyle can be determined by a person’s beliefs, values, and interests.
There is no universally recognised definition of “lifestyle”. Generally, the term is understood to refer to a combination of intangible and tangible factors that determine a person’s preferences, values, and behaviours. Tangible factors include demographic variables and personal characteristics, while intangible factors include psychological traits and behavioural orientations. A person’s lifestyle is the result of a series of decisions and choices that affect their everyday activities.
In the past, the concept of lifestyle was mainly analysed from a sociological perspective. The main focus was on the individual’s social positioning in relation to a particular sociocultural-economic context (for example, the models of Weber and Bourdieu). Other theories focused on the relationship between a person’s internal dimensions of thought and their external behaviours and attitudes.
Theories that focus on the internal dimensions of thoughts and behavioural orientations have roots in the field of psychology, starting with Alfred Adler. These studies focused on the underlying values and principles that a person develops during their early years and ends up defining their system of judgment and behaviour throughout their lives. Later, studies by Milton Rokeach and Arnold Mitchell referred to the study of value systems as a means of identifying different behavioural models and orientations.
These theories can be broadly classified as either traditional or secular. Traditional lifestyles are based on a person’s values and beliefs, which are often influenced by their cultural background. For example, many cultures value the importance of family and religion. A person’s religious beliefs and values may impact their lifestyle by influencing their food preferences, fashion choices, or work ethic. Similarly, a person’s cultural background may influence their views on sex, marriage, and parenthood. In contrast, secular lifestyles are often based on the pursuit of wealth and success, which is reflected in a person’s choice of jobs, education, and entertainment.