Influence of lifestyle, habits, and quality of life on mental health: narrative literature review

Introduction: The understanding of mental health has undergone significant transformations throughout history, incorporating biological, psychological, and social dimensions. These advances have culminated in an integrative perspective that links lifestyle, habits, and quality of life to mental health outcomes, especially among adolescents and young adults. This narrative review aims to analyze how lifestyle, habits, and quality of life influence mental health. Methodology: A narrative literature review was conducted using the PubMed/MEDLINE database, covering publications from 2021 to 2025. The search focused on evidence exploring the relationship between lifestyle, habits, and quality of life and their influence on the mental health of adolescents and young adults, resulting in the selection of 17 studies for qualitative interpretative synthesis. Results: An association was observed between sedentary behavior, excessive screen time, poor sleep quality, and substance abuse with worsening mental health, whereas physical activity and social support emerged as protective factors. Conclusion: Behavioral and lifestyle factors significantly influence the mental health of adolescents and young adults. Sedentary behavior, stress, inadequate sleep, and excessive screen time increase psychological vulnerability, whereas regular physical activity, restorative sleep, and social support play a protective role.