Lifestyle is a complex construct that has been defined and analysed in different ways by various fields of knowledge. The term has been used to refer to the way a person lives their life, but it can also be defined as an organised set of values, attitudes, behaviours and beliefs. Health practice models consider lifestyle to be a fundamental element for the health of an individual. However, the term is not well defined and several research questions are still open.
The term “lifestyle” emerged in the 1960s to describe a pattern of living that was based on values and beliefs, as well as on habits and interests. It was first used in a psychological context by Adler [12]. The concept of lifestyle has since been explored in several lines of research. Some prefer an internal interpretation of the term, identifying it as an organised personality, while others emphasise the value system and the attitudes and orientations that are reflected in it.
In sociological terms, the concept of lifestyle was influenced by Weber and Bourdieu [6]. They viewed it as an expression of social class identity, a form of non-verbal communication that manifested itself in consumption patterns. Lifestyles were attributed an essential function in the definition of one’s identity, and they could be considered to be stable over time. However, these characteristics were seen to depend on the influence of dynamic forces at a sociocultural level and on personal phases, such as adolescence and early adulthood.
For some, the idea that lifestyles can be designed is an important aspect of a more conscious approach to the way we live our lives. This is particularly true in a globalised world where we are constantly exposed to messages that tell us what we should be doing or who we should be. It is possible to become overwhelmed by these influences, and many people are stuck in a routine that has little meaning or purpose.
A lifestyle design approach involves understanding how you want to live your life, and then designing it intentionally. It encompasses everything from the activities you engage in, to how you spend your time, money and energy. This can be an empowering process, as it can give you control over your own destiny and prevent you from being passively swept along by the currents of culture.
It is necessary to clarify the concept of lifestyle in order to advance future theoretical and empirical research. This narrative review reexamines the main models and theories of lifestyle in the psychology and sociology fields, considering them from an internal, external, and temporal perspective to identify the main components that characterise this construct. It is hoped that this will help to develop a more robust framework for analysing the role of lifestyle in health. This will include a new model of health practice, in which it is considered as an interrelated system of values, attitudes and beliefs that define our behaviours. This will allow for a more holistic understanding of the concept, and it will encourage the use of lifestyle as an intervention tool in the field of health.
