What Is a Lifestyle?

A lifestyle is a person’s cultural orientation, opinions, and interests. It was first coined by Austrian psychologist Alfred Adler in his 1929 book, The Case of Miss R. In the study, Adler defined a person’s basic character, which is set from early childhood. The word has been used to describe cultural orientations, political views, and moral principles. Today, the term is used to describe a variety of different aspects of life.

A lifestyle encompasses one’s views on politics, personal values, and the environment, as well as the things a person does for fun and for comfort. Even within the urban context, location plays a large role in a person’s lifestyle. Living in a rural area means avoiding big cities and enjoying the nature and cultural amenities available there. A coastal area may have a strong surf culture. Other areas are known for their art and music.

The concept of lifestyle was first used in the 1950s by Austrian psychologist Alfred Adler. He wrote that pine trees differ in their growth according to their environment. The same species of pine tree can have two distinct lifestyles if it grows in different environments. The two distinct lifestyles of the same type of tree are called life style. The term was coined to describe the differences in societal status between a rural and an urban environment. The definition of a lifestyle can include everything from a person’s physical appearance to the clothes worn.