Critical Years of Lifestyle Development

ABSTRACT: Lifestyle affects long-term mental health, from childhood into patterns in adulthood. Infancy and early childhood are the most critical periods in terms of brain development. During infancy and early childhood, a healthy and adaptive lifestyle can be fostered through nurture, which influences mentalization, empathy, insight capacities, and overall social interest. Nurturing these capacities during infancy fosters a lifestyle characterized by social interest. Empowering and encouraging caregivers is pivotal.