Life Style and Mahatma Gandhi

[Prof. Dr. Yogendra Yadav]

Prof. Dr. Yogendra Yadav

Senior Gandhian Scholar, Professor, Editor and Linguist

Gandhi International Study and Research Institute, Jalgaon, Maharashtra, India

Contact No. – 09404955338, 09415777229

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Life Style and Mahatma Gandhi

 

Lifestyle is the way of life of an individual, group, or culture. The term was originally used by Austrian psychologist Alfred Adler (1870-1937). The term was introduced in the 1950 as a derivative of that of style in Modernist art. The term refers to a combination of determining intangible or tangible factors. A lifestyle typically reflects an individual's attitudes, values or view. Therefore, a lifestyle is a means of forging a sense of self and to create cultural symbols that resonate with personal identity. Not all aspects of a lifestyle are voluntary. Surrounding social and technical systems can constrain the lifestyle choices available to the individual and the symbols she/he is able to project to others and the self. Lifestyle may include views on politics, religion, health, intimacy, and more. All of these aspects play a role in shaping someone's lifestyle.

My life-style has become grandiose. It is getting rather difficult to check it. The items for my use can only be carried from here. Only fruit may be available for me on the way. All the same there is too much fuss in preparing things for me. Doing so in the case of others would seem to be merely swimming with the current. In any case, neither thing has my approval. 1

An individual's health depends a lot on their lifestyle. Maintaining physical and mental health is crucial to an individual's longevity. The more time spent on hygiene, physical fitness, and diet regulation, the healthier lifestyle they have. Those who chose to participate in any kind of physical activity on a weekly basis are generally healthier than those who don't. Mental illness may occur through various variables. For example, depression may promote mental illness through stress and anxiety. Reasons for being depressed can be due to a number of things including job loss, recently widowed, divorce, etc. Depression may lead to or increase the frequency of poor habits not promoting physical health. Poor habits may eventually lead to a poor or even dangerous lifestyle.

There are two types of environment for a lifestyle: nature and social. Natural environment involves the conditions in which a person, animal, or plant lives and operates. An individual dedicated to this healthy lifestyle will prefer to walk to close places, recycle plastic, papers, cans, etc. In an individual's lifestyle some of this natural environment is needed, such as fresh air, clean water, clean home, clean neighborhood and a clean example for those at home.

There can be no rest for me so long as there is a single person in India whether man or woman, young or old, lacking the necessaries of life, by which I mean a sense of security, a life style worthy of human beings, i.e., clothing, education, food and shelter of a decent standard. I said the same thing to Sarat Babu yesterday. I cannot bear to see Badshah Khan’s grief. His inner agony wrings my heart, but if I gave way to tears, it would be cowardly and, stalwart Pathan as he is, he would break down. And I don’t want him to break down. But maybe all of them are right and I alone am floundering in darkness. The more you remain vigilant and cheerful by maintaining good health the more you will influence all that I do. 2

 

References:

1. Letter to Krishnachandra, March 26, 1940
2. Bihar Pachhi Dilhi, pp. 52