Life Style and Health

Meaning of Life Style

          The term was coined by Alfred Adler which means "a person's basic character as established early in childhood". It refers to the individual’s beliefs, ideas, perceptions and behavioural practices towards the life as a whole. It is attitude towards self in context of immediate techno-socio-cultural environment.

Meaning of Health

          Health means the psycho-physical state where individual is free from disease and remains in whole well-being. It is complete wellbeing in terms of emotional, physical, social and spiritual domains that is instrumental in furthering the cause of self-actualization.

Relation between Lifestyle and Health

          The lifestyle, a way of living, and health are complimentary components of human behaviour. The lifestyle and behaviour are being recognized as important factors in physical health and physical illness (Newman, 2004). Lifestyle defines the level and quality of health an individual enjoys. The lifestyle depends upon several factors such as education, socio-economic status, geographical location, residential status, culture and social settings. 

          Lifestyle can be healthy as well as unhealthy depending upon following practices: -

(i)       Proper nutritiously balanced diet,

(ii)      Regular physical exercise,

(iii)     Personal hygiene,

(iv)     Sufficient sleep,

(v)      Mental health,

(vi)     Self-control, and

(vii)    Socio-cultural environment.

 

(i)      Proper nutritiously balanced diet – The consumption of a diet that contains almost all nutrients required by body to function optimally. It must contain foods that have proportionate fats, carbohydrates, sugar, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. Due to lack of proper diet body is susceptible to disease, infection, fatigue, and poor performance. Children with a poor diet run the risk of growth and developmental problems and poor academic performance (healthline.com).

(ii)     Regular physical exercise – Physical exercises such as yogic asana, games and sports are as important as food for good health. It improves total wellbeing and quality of life. It keeps the mind healthy, boost energy level, keeps the heart healthy, improves cognitive functioning, good sleep, improves immune system, strengthens bones & muscles and enhances the overall functional and structural capacity of the body. A 30 minute daily regular exercise is considered good for health.

(iii)    Personal hygiene – The personal hygiene is one of most critical components of healthy lifestyle. We interact with different organisms on a daily basis, exposing us to a wide range of infectious or communicable diseases (dumblittleman.com). It works as a shield against invading pathogens. Personal hygiene is a behaviour that includes washing hands, oral hygiene, bathing, maintaining body and breath odour and spending some amount of time in the lap of nature.

(iv)    Sufficient sleep – The national sleep foundation recommends that 7-8 hrs. of daily quality sleep is best for good health. Sleep rejuvenates, heal and repairs the mind, body, blood vessels and brain. It maintains a balance of hormones and immune system that are vital to the health. Sleep deprivation can lead to obesity, decreased cognitive functioning, heart related ailments, decreased athletic performance, type 2 diabetes, depression etc. 

(v)     Mental health – A person’s condition with regard to their psychological and emotional well-being and the state of functioning at a satisfactory level of emotional and behavioural adjustment. Mental health is directly related to physical health and both are dependent upon the lifestyle. Mental health leads to contentment, fun in life, resilience, dealing with stress, quality relationships, adaptive & adjusting skills, self-confidence, self-esteem etc. which leads to healthy lifestyle.

(vi)    Self-control – Self-control is the capacity to override one’s impulse or desire in order to attain another goal. Self-control is a psychological resource (protective factor) that can improve health and well-being (Hesmat, 2016). Self-control can be achieved by yoga and several other meditation techniques such as pranayama, Sudershan kriya, Vipassana Dhyan etc. It is vital to the behaviour regulation that helps in maintaining healthy lifestyle.

(vii)   Socio-cultural environment – The socio-cultural environment means the conditions in which an individual develops. It contains SES, race/ethnicity, gender and sex roles, immigration status and acculturation, poverty and deprivation, social networks and social support, psychosocial work environment, distribution of income, social cohesion, and collective efficacy (Hernandez & Blazer, 2006). These factors significantly affect the health and lifestyle by developing matching habits and attitudes within the individuals due to their influence of upbringing pattern.

 

References:

1.       https://www.apa.org/monitor/may04/pp.

2.       https://www.healthline.com/health/balanced-diet#what-to-eat.

3.       https://www.dumblittleman.com/importance-of-personal-hygiene/.

4.       https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/science-choice/201607/how-self-control-can-help-you-live-healthier-life.

5.       Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on Assessing Interactions Among Social, Behavioural, and Genetic Factors in Health; Hernandez LM, Blazer DG, editors. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2006.

 

 

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