In these uncertain times, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, meeting your changing needs is more important than ever. Being able to understand and prioritize the more important needs is vital when you are low on energy and stressed out.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the ideas behind Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. His theory is about how some of our needs are more urgent or pressing than others depending on our circumstance.
What is the Hierarchy of Needs?
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs has five different categories:
- Physiological needs - food, water, air, sleep, clothing, shelter.
- Safety needs - physical/mental/emotional safety, trusting that you have resources to meet your Physiological needs on ongoing basis.
- Love & belonging needs - friendship, family, intimacy
- Esteem needs - being comfortable in your own skin, confidence from achievement, respect to/from others
- Self-actualization needs - creativity, spontaneity, equality
The basis of this hierarchy and understanding needs, in general, is to get back to basics. Think about the things you have absolutely needed throughout this pandemic, for example. Chances are, you have been less focused on the things you want and more focused on the things that will allow you to feel safe and comfortable.
These are basic survival needs. They include things like food, water, air, sleep, shelter, and clothing. They are the most important needs, and they need to be met before moving on to the next tier of the hierarchy.
Your Priority of Changing Needs
It is only after your basic needs have been met that you can start to really focus on other needs and how they might be changing.
Simply put, you can’t focus on social things, or even your own sense of self-esteem unless you feel secure in where you are. If you do not have consistent food, clothing, shelter and safety, then that is your priority. You won't be able to really think about self-esteem or fitting in while you are just trying to survive.
This pandemic has caused many people to cycle back down to the first and second tiers of the hierarchy. Because life, as we know it, has changed, your needs have undoubtedly changed, too.
Now, as the pandemic rolls on, your needs might be changing again. Maybe you feel secure in having enough food, shelter, and clothing. But, the social and psychological issues associated with the pandemic are starting to affect you.
Already, studies have shown that the rules put in place across the country due to COVID-19 may have lasting mental health impacts. People are social creatures. Unfortunately, far too many are feeling isolated and completely alone. Your love and belonging, and even esteem needs may not feel as though they’re being met.
Taking Action to Meet Your Changing Needs
But, the ‘basics’ change. It’s easy to use this pandemic as an example, but it happens throughout life anyway. You don’t have the same basic needs today that you did as a child, or even in your teens.
It’s so important to understand this hierarchy so you can focus on what you truly need at any given time. Unless you have the basics covered, you will never feel truly secure or comfortable.
The choices you make in life and the things that happen to you will shift your basic needs and how you need to respond in order to meet them. If you want to meet your changing needs right now, go back to the basics. What do you need to make you feel safe and secure? Once those are in place, you can focus on other shifts in your needs and how you can meet them.
If you’re not sure how to meet your needs or even understand what they truly are, you’re not alone. Feel free to contact me for more information. We can talk about meeting your changing needs and how Maslow’s hierarchy can make that easier to understand.
Contact Me
I know how stressful and demanding it can be to make changes in your life, but you don’t have to figure it out on your own. Some of the benefits of individual therapy include:
- Having a safe, confidential space to work through life’s struggles
- Speaking openly with a highly-trained professional
- Learning to be curious about oneself and become more mindful about your choices
- Identifying relationship patterns that are helpful, or existing patterns that are interfering with your growth and wellbeing.
- I offer online therapy (video conference style of therapy), which provides an increased level of comfort as you could meet with me from the privacy and comfort of your own home or other location.
You can request a specific appointment time that fits your schedule. Once confirmed, you can complete all New Patient Intake paperwork online as well.
*** The tips offered in this article are for general information and should not be considered medical or psychological advice. For more personalized recommendations appropriate to your individual situation, please contact us or obtain professional guidance.
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