Lifestyle is a word that describes how a person lives his or her life. It can include activities such as recreation, work, eating habits and even health habits. A person’s lifestyle can also reflect their cultural, religious or political beliefs. It can also refer to the traditions and shared experiences that are valued by a group such as holidays, pastimes and music. A person’s lifestyle can also be affected by the location they live in, such as a large cosmopolitan city or a remote island with an excellent beach.
When most people hear the word ‘lifestyle’ they tend to think of the fashion and other fashionable trends that some individuals adopt. In sociology, the term is more broad and refers to a person’s pattern of behavior that is set within a particular social context.
A person’s lifestyle can be influenced by their culture, gender, family, social class, economic status, religion, education and many other factors. Having a positive lifestyle can improve your quality of life and help you feel better. It can also reduce the risk of certain diseases, lengthen your lifespan and save you money. A healthy lifestyle includes a balanced diet, exercise and proper rest. A negative lifestyle can lead to illness and premature death. It can also lead to stress, which can cause health problems and affect your moods.
Some people choose to live alone as a way of establishing their own unique lifestyle. This kind of lifestyle requires discipline, but it can give you the freedom to do whatever you want. Other people like to travel as a part of their lifestyle. Some prefer to do it in their own cars, while others choose to fly or take the bus.
There are also those who enjoy a simple, rural lifestyle in villages. Their daily routines include farm-related work and spending time in nature. This kind of lifestyle is a great choice for those who love to be independent and are not bothered by the hustle and bustle of modern living.
In social analysis, the concept of a lifestyle was first introduced by Alfred Adler as a style of personality. Later, Thorstein Veblen used the term to describe the distinctive elements of a status group that are connected with a desire for distinction from those they identify as inferior and a desire for emulation of those who possess prestige. Georg Simmel carried out a formal analysis of lifestyles and in the latter part of the century, Pierre Bourdieu renewed this approach.
The concept of lifestyle is a key element in sustainable development discussions. This is particularly true in debates over consumption (e.g. Durning 1998; Flint & Houser 2001; Gilg et al. 2002) and greenhouse gases (e.g. Connolly & Prothero 2003). These aspects or issues of sustainable development are all related to lifestyle in some manner. The underlying issue is that individuals who are concerned about the environment and sustainability often make choices that are contradictory.