Author of the material:
Igor Lyadsky
Geneticist, writer, business coach, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
If a person is thinking about how to start leading a correct lifestyle, this means that he is not satisfied with something in the current state of affairs. To understand whether changes are needed, just ask yourself a question: does my lifestyle make me happy, help me develop? If the answer is “no”, but the time has come for change, and simple recommendations will help with this
What it is
Lifestyle can be understood as a list of activities of both one person and a certain social group. Using this concept, you can determine how the society of one country lives, what features it has.
A lifestyle is something that is formed under the influence of the environment. Even if Europeans have the same level of material well-being, social status, and lifestyle, they will be different, because people grow up under the influence of national attitudes.
For example, the Japanese have a strong sense of community. A citizen of the Land of the Rising Sun will first think whether he is disturbing someone with his activity, and only then will he move on to it. This behavior is unusual for Europeans.
Consequences
It is quite difficult to imagine that several thousand respectable citizens suddenly began to lead an asocial lifestyle. However, we can guess what consequences this will have. Some of them will be noticeable only in the long term, while some will be noticeable almost immediately. It is worth listing at least a few.
- Decreased overall health, increased epidemiological danger. In addition to the devastating effects tobacco, alcohol and drugs have on the human body, some people are likely to become less careful about their personal hygiene, which can lead to the growth and spread of dangerous bacteria. Promiscuous sexual intercourse contributes to the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases and also increases the risk of unplanned pregnancy. This situation often leads to either abortion or abandonment of the child immediately after birth.
- The appearance of more homeless and unemployed people on the streets will increase crime rates. The level of crimes, including extremely dangerous ones such as murder and rape, will increase significantly.
- As a result of a decrease in the number of respectable law-abiding citizens, tax revenue will decrease and the share of the shadow economy will increase, which will sooner or later undermine the foundations of the state.
Main components
The inner world of a person - what is it, definition
The concept of lifestyle is very multifaceted; it includes not only the level of physical activity. It includes the opportunity to purchase material goods, quality of life (availability of medical services, education, etc.).
The style of existence also matters: whether a person is active in social or political activities, whether he is engaged in education, etc. Another important component is the way of life. These include traditions, laws of society, and the level of culture of the population.
Formation
Mental rigidity - what is it, definition
A person is not born with a certain set of useful life activities. Lifestyle is formed under the influence of different attitudes, for example, national or family.
Parents are the first role models
Much depends on what social group a person belongs to. For example, if it is customary to actively engage in sports, then he adopts this habit. It is impossible to say unequivocally what the formation of a lifestyle may depend on - each individual is influenced by a combination of factors.
Main types
A person can change his existence scenarios many times during his life. They are different: healthy, bachelor, secular and others. Everyone chooses for themselves what they prefer.
Healthy
Orange color in psychology - what does it mean in a person’s life
Includes the concept of proper nutrition, level of physical activity, and preventive measures. With this lifestyle, a person gives up bad habits; it is important for him to direct his energy correctly. When maintaining a healthy lifestyle, the thought of harm to the body is unacceptable for an individual.
Important! Everyone has their own concept of a healthy existence, but you shouldn’t go to extremes: raw food diet, dry fasting, etc.
Secular
In this case, it is not necessary to strive to belong to the upper strata of society. It is enough to actively attend social events, expose your life on social networks, and adhere to fashion in clothing. This category of people is very attached to communications; they need to constantly get to know each other, communicate, and spend time together.
Stag
This lifestyle is characterized by avoidance of marriage. At the same time, a person does not refuse to date someone, but a serious relationship is not for him. For an individual, his personal boundaries are of particular value.
Family
For this category of people, the most important thing is marriage, maintaining family relationships, and being in the thick of things.
With this way of life, a person knows how to make compromises, takes into account the opinions of all participants
As a reasonable motivation, the individual chooses the opportunity to improve the well-being of the family.
Closed
Sometimes people think it's okay to be alone. Such individuals do not need noisy companies; it is normal for them to be without the support of others. Simple examples of typical pastimes are reading books, the Internet, watching a movie. Such a lifestyle cannot be considered pathological.
Active
Is at the peak of popularity. It includes travel, sports, etc. any change in the usual environment. They take into account all types of activity that exist in a person’s life, for example, going to the gym or boxing section.
Aristocratic
With this lifestyle, a person strives for a luxurious existence. He not only attends official social events, but also tries to dress expensively and wear elegant jewelry made of precious metals.
Such people make up their lives not only from entertainment events. They actively go to the gym, have a flexible schedule, and are engaged in an atypical business. It is impossible to say unequivocally which way of life is the most correct. Each person makes his own choice.
Forms of manifestation of social activity
Social connection is a social action that expresses the interdependence and compatibility of people or groups through mutually directed social actions, i.e. mutually conscious actions that have a mutual direction in relation to each other, with the expectation of corresponding reciprocal action on the part of the partner.
The main elements of social communication, regardless of its form, are:
1) subjects of communication (which can be any number of people);
2) the object of the connection (i.e. what exactly is being discussed).
3) a mechanism for conscious regulation of interactions between subjects).
Social communication can take the form of both social contact and social interaction.
Social contact is a one-time act (contact with passengers on transport, passers-by on the street, a chest of drawers in a theater, etc.).
Social interaction is a systematic, fairly regular, mutually directed social action of partners, aimed at causing a certain (expected) reaction in the partner, and a counter-reaction is a new reaction in the partner.
It is the extreme nature of the systems of actions of two partners in relation to each other, the renewability (not only of actions, but also their coordination), as well as the constant interest in the partner’s reaction that distinguishes social interaction from a social act and makes it the main object of sociological analysis.
Social interaction is always based on exchange, which manifests itself in contractual and diffuse forms.
Contractual forms are most clearly manifested in the economic sphere; here social exchange takes the form of a transaction in which the volume of services, the conditions for their reimbursement, costs, etc. are strictly specified.
Contractual forms are widespread in the political sphere (agreements between states, parties, agreements between politicians on coordination of activities, etc.).
Diffusion (non-rigidity) in its pure form is manifested in the exchange of relations of moral and ethical content: friendship, neighborhood, relations between parents and children, partnership.
No matter how rigid contractual forms of social exchange may be, they are based on soft things such as expectation, trust, etc. Most exchanges between people in society occur on credit, on the basis of risk, on the expectation of reciprocity, on the basis of trust.
Exchanges occur at the level of individuals, as well as social groups and communities.
Social interactions are based on certain principles: personal expediency, mutual effectiveness of interactions, the principle of a common criterion, social differentiation, the principle of balance in the system of social interactions.
The main types of social interaction are cooperation and competition.
Cooperation is manifested in various specific relationships between people: Business partnership, friendship, solidarity, political alliance between parties, states, cooperation between firms, etc. Characteristic features of cooperation type interaction: mutual interest, benefits from interaction for both parties, the presence of a common goal, respect , support, appreciation, loyalty.
Rivalry as a type of interaction presupposes the presence of a single indivisible object of demands of both parties (voices, power, territory, power rights, etc.). The basis of rivalry is: the desire to surpass, alienate, subjugate or destroy a rival, the absence of common goals, but the irresistible presence of similar goals, hostility, bitterness, insincerity, secrecy.
Alternative views
With a strict lifestyle, a person strives to show only the behavior that is approved by society. He wants to please everyone and demonstrate his trustworthiness.
Important! The individual places very high demands on others that are difficult to meet.
In psychology, such behavior is viewed as excessive perfectionism, which leads to bad consequences.
The individual does not always adhere to a healthy existence. Someone goes into a riotous lifestyle. Such a person strives to have fun, he puts his desires above all else. May be prone to bad habits.
An individual may have different lifestyles, for example, a combination of a healthy lifestyle and an active lifestyle. During his existence, he will change his habits more than once.
Benefits of healthy lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle has a significant impact on immunity.
According to a survey of those who recently changed their lifestyle, after starting a healthy lifestyle, their well-being, mood, and worldview changed noticeably. In addition, striving to live a healthier life leads to the following improvements:
- The frequency of relapses of chronic diseases is reduced;
- When you wake up, there is no fatigue, you feel a surge of strength;
- Increased endurance during sports training is observed;
- The frequency of colds is reduced and their severity is reduced;
- The skin becomes firmer and cleaner.
In addition, research shows that this lifestyle can reduce the likelihood of developing a number of age-related diseases. In addition, this is an excellent example for loved ones, and, first of all, for children.
Children's lifestyle
Due to his age, the child is dependent on his parents. They decide what he will eat, how he will behave, where he will go (school, kindergarten, private educational institutions, etc.).
Sometimes a child grows physically, but his thinking remains just as immature. It’s easier for him when decisions are made for him; he shifts responsibility for his life to another adult.
Such behavior is called infantilism. This word has many definitions, the main meaning being mental immaturity. With this way of life, a person is dependent on another. He can easily become a victim of scammers, manipulators and other dangerous individuals.
How to change
At a certain point in life, a person thinks that his lifestyle is abnormal and unhealthy. In this case, he will have to radically change his worldview, but this is very difficult to do.
You need to start by listing what you are not happy with at the moment. It is advisable to understand each irritating factor in detail. For example, if the job is unpleasant, maybe it’s the salary or the colleagues?
You can write down a list of desired changes, this will allow you to tune in to changes
There is no need to try to fix everything instantly. It is better to draw up a short action plan that will help you achieve your goals. Difficulties and unforeseen obstacles may arise, this is normal.
When changing lifestyle, a person experiences severe discomfort. His ideas about the world and people change, he acquires new moral principles. Such a departure from the comfort zone is always unpleasant.
Don't stop halfway. A trained spirit allows you to easily solve any difficulties. Gradually, the individual gets used to new types of activity, and they stop making him nervous.
If a person’s goal is “to acquire new social connections,” then he should constantly look for new acquaintances. This way he will develop communication skills and it will be easy for him to communicate. One goal can be achieved in different ways. Therefore, you should not get upset and despair after the first mistake.
Hardening
To reduce the risk of disease to a minimum, it is worth hardening. It helps the body fight unfavorable external factors. There are many ways to increase resistance and immunity:
- Taking air baths. This is the most accessible and easiest way. Try to take frequent walks in the fresh air and ventilate the premises. In the summer, go out into the countryside. Clean forest air is the best disease prevention;
- Sunbathing. No less effective for a person is exposure to the sun. However, you should be careful with it and avoid direct rays at midday. Burns and heat strokes should also not be allowed to occur;
- Walking barefoot. Our feet have many sensitive points. Their massage leads to normalization of the functioning of important organs;
- Rubbing is a soft and gentle way of hardening. It is suitable even for small children. The process involves rubbing the body with a massage mitten, washcloth or wet towel;
- Pouring cold water is the most famous method. You can douse yourself completely or partially. It is important to wipe yourself with a dry towel after the procedure;
- Cold and hot shower. Alternating cold and hot water gives skin tone, rejuvenates and strengthens the body.
- Winter swimming. This type of hardening requires a responsible and careful attitude. Before starting procedures, you should consult your doctor.
Origins of immorality
Lifestyle can also be negative. This category includes drug addicts, alcoholics, lumpen people and other individuals who lead an unapproved existence. Such people may be defined as socially disadvantaged.
People from bad families are not always marginalized
Most often, immoral behavior is formed in childhood. When a person does not receive punishment for bad deeds, he gets used to the fact that he can behave as he pleases. Public reproach is not always welcomed in culture, so the emergence of marginalized people is natural.
Another reason is mental illness. With some diseases, a person lacks empathy, self-criticism and other important personality traits. The difference between this condition and lifestyle is in organic disorders. Mental illnesses can be easily identified by a doctor of the appropriate profile.
In official medical practice, you can find different cases. Some people manage to overcome marginal behavior and return to society. Others prefer to stay where they live.
As preventative measures, it is necessary to provide an immoral person with useful activities and help him develop spiritual ideas. He is taught to maintain social connections and is helped to strengthen relationships with his family.
Each person leads a certain way of life. It includes a set of different activities. They can be both useful and dangerous.
