How does spirituality and religion impact the life cycle?

Understanding The Life Cycle: From Birth to Death & Health

Understanding the life cycle is an important part of life & understanding our physical and emotional wellbeing and navigating through life’s experiences. From the moment we are born, our life cycle, or the phases of life, begins.

What is the Life Cycle?

The phrase “life cycle” can refer to the physical, developmental, and psychological progression of stages, or phases, of life which all people pass through. Each phase is associated with different sets of challenges and events, which can create different emotional and physical responses.

The life cycle is said to begin with birth, and end with death, but there is so much more than meets the eye. Not only do we age and develop physically, but we also develop emotionally, intellectually, and psychologically throughout our lives.

British Life Cycle

The British Life Cycle Model is used most commonly to describe the various phases of life. It is divided into six main stages; newborn, infant, preschooler, school age, adolescence and adulthood. Every person passes through each of these stages, with each bringing different challenges and experiences.

Newborn

The newborn stage begins at birth and runs through to approximately three months of age. This is a stage of rapid physical and psychological growth and development.

Infant

The infant stage of life runs from approximately three months of age to approximately eighteen months of age. This is a time of emerging physical strength, growth of language and communication skills, developing social and interactive skills, and the beginnings of cognitive understanding.

Preschooler

The preschooler stage of life runs from approximately eighteen months of age to approximately five to seven years of age. This is a period during which physical strength, coordination and language skills, as well as social and cognitive skills continue to develop and expand. During this period, children are increasingly independent and able to understand cause and effect relationships.

School Age

The school age stage of life runs from approximately five to seven years of age to approximately eleven to thirteen years of age. During this time, children are increasingly more involved in social activities and academic endeavors.

Adolescence

The adolescence stage of life runs from approximately eleven to thirteen years of age to approximately eighteen to twenty-one years of age. During this time, persons experience physical, emotional and psychological changes as they transition into adulthood.

Adulthood & Beyond

Adulthood is the final stage in the life cycle and is typically considered to begin at eighteen to twenty-one years of age. This is a time for developing personal, professional and financial autonomy. During this period of life, individuals may develop their own sense of identity and take on more responsibility for their own health and wellbeing.

The life cycle is a continual and ever-changing journey. As a person passes through the various stages, they will gain knowledge and experience, which, in turn, may shape their thoughts and influence their future behaviour. As life progresses, it is important to remain aware of the physical and emotional changes taking place, as well as the impact it can have on our overall health.