A lifestyle is a way of living. It includes patterns of behavior and social relations, and it also covers the daily functions of individuals. In addition to the obvious behaviors, it may include attitudes, values, and political views.
The concept of lifestyle was introduced in 1929 by Austrian psychologist Alfred Adler. He defined it as “a system of judgment and a kind of personality” which could be seen in the earliest years of a person’s life.
Lifestyles are a combination of intangible factors. Some are related to a person’s personal values, such as happiness and health, while others are influenced by demographic variables, such as proximity to natural environments.
These factors can help an individual make wise choices to reduce his or her risk of health problems. However, improper lifestyle decisions can lead to diseases, such as obesity, stroke, and colon cancer.
Another important element of a lifestyle is the way a person spends his or her time. For instance, a person living in a suburban area might spend his or her day working at a computer. This lifestyle would be considered conservative.
Other studies have looked at the use of time. These include those of Joffre Dumazedier, Anthony Giddens, and Richard Jenkins. They all study the interaction of active and passive dimensions.
A different approach to the lifestyle was proposed by an Austrian economist, Thorstein Veblen. He argued that people adopt specific’schemes of life’, including their preferences for food, clothing, and entertainment.