Lifestyle can be defined as the manner in which people, groups, and nations work, eat, dress, build houses, conceive of the afterlife, and so on within a territorial, commercial, legal, cultural, religious, and other context. It implies hygiene practices, exercise, work and eating habits, entertainment and leisure. According to the cultural geography theory, every person’s features that are typical for a given area at a certain period define his/her way of life.

Importance of Lifestyle for Health 

In the last decades, lifestyle has been considered as one of the influential determinants of health that has attracted much attention of investigators. In the view of WHO, global preventive concerns, 60% factors of health and well-being are associated with lifestyle. Unhealthy lifestyle is prevalent, and many people engage in the habit or recklessly choosing to get ill, disabled and even die. Thus, unhealthy lifestyles can lead to such pathologies as metabolic disorders, disorders of joints and bones, cardiovascular diseases, high blood pressure, obesity, and even violence.

Challenges in Modern Lifestyle

At present, certain shifts can be observed in people’s lives that seem crucial. Unhealthy habits and irresponsible attitude to own health can be briefly described by the following: malnutrition and unhealthy diet, smoking, alcohol, Drug and stress. Besides, there are new technologies that have developed new problems like overusing the Internet and social relations virtualization on the physical and psychological health of individuals.

Nutrients and BMI

Food is one of the most crucial aspects of human life and highly associated with one’s health. From these, poor diets result to such things as obesity which are common among the urban societies. Poor eating habits include taking foods that are high in fats, and foods which are generally deemed to be bad for the health such as fast foods, this causes diseases such as cardiovascular diseases.

Exercise

Finally, it comes out strongly that exercise is very important in the general health of the body. As the data show, any prescribed, regular, daily physical activity, as well as a healthy diet, will produce a greatly improved effect on a person’s health. Research has it that exercise and other physical activities are key determinants of happiness.

Sleep

However, it is worth to note that quality rest is indispensable in the chaotic world of the life. It brings very disastrous effects to the society in the aspects of social, psychological, economical and health repercussions. Lifestyle is a factor that contributes to the quality of sleep, which in return impacts the health of a on’s mind and body.

Sexual Behavior

It is a fact that to lead a healthy life one requires a healthy sexual relationship. This aspect of people’s sexuality leads to family problems, and various sicknesses, including the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome AIDS.

Substance Abuse

As one of the most significant unfavorable behavioral patterns, substance dependence on the products like tobacco, alcohol, and drugs is considered to be a primary threat. The following are some of the related health issues that can be determined from these substances; heart diseases, asthma, cancer, serious head injury.

Medication Abuse

That is why in some countries, such as Iran, medication abuse is quite typical. Taking medicine by yourself and also giving some to others are unhealthy practices as are taking medicine without a prescription. This is because taking big amounts of drugs especially when one has not consulted a doctor, may lead to dangerous complications such as drug resistance and extreme adverse reactions to the drugs taken.

Modern Technology Use

By addressing modern day’s life, it is evident that through the incorporation of advanced technologies, today’s life can be easier however, on this note, one cannot disregard the vices associated with the use of advanced technologies inappropriately. Electronics such as computers and mobile phones if overused particularly at night can result in loss of sleep and leading to factors such as depression.

Recreation

Recreation is almost a part of human day-to-day lives hence should be accorded the deserved value in everyone’s life.

Lack of leisure time is not good for health as pointed by the various negative outcomes that are experienced. Wellness can be achieved through proper conduct of systematic and healthy recreational activities.

Study

That is why people when studying to achieve good results need to exercise their brains, as if performing any physical exercise. It has been seen that incorporating study into one’s lifestyle, enhances both: physical and mental well-being. For instance, it is commonly noted that the incidence of dementia, for instance Alzheimer’s disease, is lower in the educated population.

Important points for a Healthy Lifestyle: 

1. It is therefore important to take the recommended measures and balance meals as well as ones weight.

2. Although the guideline only proposed moderate physical activity it significantly improves health.

3. It is also inevitable to note that people should ensure that they get enough sleep because it plays a very crucial role in their health.

5. Tobacco, drugs and other similar vices are not very good for the health and thus should be shunned.

6. The correct medication usage is necessary.

7. The overall use of technology impacts one’s health; therefore, reasonable use of technology can help avoid adverse effects on wellbeing.

8. Interests which relate to leisure promote health.

9. Education keeps one’s mind active thus enhancing his or her mental health.

Conclusion

Lifestyle affects physical and mental health to a greater extent. Such behaviors cause negative impacts to the health that results in diseases and different kinds of illness. 

There is need to practice healthy behaviors such as eating a balanced diet, exercising, sleeping well, practicing safe sex, no use of tobacco products, drugs and alcohol misuse, proper administration of drugs, utilizing technology in moderation, playing, and learning. The following practices can be of great benefit in enhancing the level of health within the community and even extend the duration of life.