Lifestyle Balance: A Review of Concepts and Research

The perceived stress of time-pressures related to modern life in Western nations has heightened public interest in how lifestyles can be balanced. Conditions of apparent imbalance, such as workaholism, burnout, insomnia, obesity and circadian desynchronosis, are ubiquitous and have been linked to adverse health consequences. Despite this, little research has been devoted to the study of healthy lifestyle patterns. This paper traces the concept of lifestyle balance from early history, continuing with the mental hygiene movement of the early twentieth century, and extending to the present. Relevant threads of theory and research pertaining to time use, psychological need satisfaction, rolebalance, and the rhythm and timing of activities are summarized and critiqued. The paper identifies research opportunities for occupational scientists and occupational therapists, and proposes that future studies connect existing research across a common link-the identification of occupational patterns that reduce stress. The importance of such studies to guide health promotion, disease prevention and social policy decisions necessary for population health in the 21st century is emphasized.