Individual’s healthy lifestyle promotion in war conditions: conceptual basis of research

Abstract

Introduction. Extreme war conditions raise the question of how to save lives and restore health, prevent the development of post-traumatic states and disorders, and contribute to post-traumatic growth in citizens. Measures to promote a healthy lifestyle (HL) can contribute to the best way out of the crisis. However, systematic and holistic approaches to preserving, restoring, and forming an individual’s HL in the conditions of a full-scale military invasion of the territory of Ukraine have not been developed yet.

The purpose of the article: presentation of the conceptual foundations of the individual’s healthy lifestyle promotion in war conditions.

Methods and methodology. Systematic theoretical analysis of Ukrainian and foreign sources, synthesis, and conceptualization of information.

Results. The healthy lifestyle promotion is defined as a specially organized activity that covers the HL preservation, restoration, and formation in conditions of extreme social instability. It is substantiated strategic approach to the HL of a war personality as the one under the influence of acute or prolonged stress, trauma, or crisis. The stages, types, conditions, levels, approaches, and types of HL promotion are systematized. Four separate aspects that affect the implementation of the promotion strategy of a healthy lifestyle are highlighted: 1) characteristics of the subjects targeted by health care interventions, 2) the environment where the relevant measures are carried out, 3) targets, and 4) methods of influencing the individual. Following the first aspect, it was clarified the configuration of the HL practices of different age subcultures during the war. The second aspect clarifies the achievement of digital well-being as a separate indicator of HL recovery and formation. The third aspect covers the personal situation as a resource, tolerance to uncertainty, and existential practices. The fourth aspect includes mindfulness strategies, psycho-hygiene practices, and art interventions.

Prospects for further research. The presented conceptual principles of the HL promotion in the conditions of the Russian-Ukrainian war will be used as a methodological basis for empirical research.