A lifestyle is a set of values, attitudes, and behaviours that constitute a person’s mode of living. It includes everything from health and where you live, to relationships, personal development, and career. It also encompasses how you spend your energy, time, and money. You can either let external forces dictate your path or you can take control of the vehicle that drives your life.
There are many different definitions of a lifestyle, and various fields have developed theories and research variables that differ from one another. For example, the concept of a lifestyle is used in different ways in health psychology and sociology. In this article, we examine a variety of definitions of lifestyle and propose three interpretative keys that can be used to guide research in this area.
Theories that favour an internal interpretation of a person’s lifestyle focus on their personality and their system of values. This includes the work of Rokeach who linked lifestyle to personality and considered that people had a few hierarchically ordered values. These were oriented toward meeting their primary needs: the need for self-realisation, the need for belonging, and the need for security.
Other scholars like Georg Simmel and Pierre Bourdieu developed more sophisticated models that consider how lifestyles develop and how they interact with other lifestyles. The concept of a lifestyle is considered as a field that is interconnected with other lifestyles, and the habitus is at the centre of this interaction.
The definitions that prefer an external dimension of a person’s lifestyle focus on the way a person’s habits and behaviours are influenced by their social position within a society or social class. This approach is related to the sociological theories of Weber and Bourdieu. These theories emphasise how the lifestyle is a product of the culture and the socialisation process.
These types of definitions are related to the research fields of sociology and consumer psychology, where the term is frequently applied. Critics of these interpretations argue that the theories neglect the fact that a lifestyle is the product of individual choice.
A healthy lifestyle is a key to good mental and physical health, but there are many barriers that prevent people from adopting the lifestyle they want. These include financial constraints, lack of motivation, and unhealthy habits. Fortunately, there are many solutions to these obstacles, including eating a balanced diet and staying active. There are also many benefits to a healthy lifestyle, from preventing disease to improving mood. The best way to start is by making small changes in your daily habits. Once you’ve adopted these new habits, they will become your lifestyle. In the end, a lifestyle is about doing what makes you happy. So, start designing yours today. Good luck!
