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Happy New Year! Starting a brand new year is usually a transformative time for many of us. After completing a full 365 days, we set brand new goals and resolutions for ourselves in order to propel ourselves forward even further on our journey. However, I think I am not alone when I say that the start of 2021 feels, well different to say the least!
2020 was... A LOT. Whether you want to call it a shit show or a dumpster fire, we’ve all experienced incredible challenges, discomfort, and traumas in the past several months. And as much as we all wish that the events of 2020 could just stay in 2020, we are still in for more uncertainty as we navigate 2021 and reflect on the lessons from the past year. So, in light of the uncertainty we face, I want to invite you to take a step back with me to focus back on the basics. Our basic needs that is!
A lot of times when we are going through difficult times, our basic needs are the first things to go out the window. We burn ourselves out reacting to all the external crises and problems coming our way. However, when we are in times of difficulty, meeting our basic needs provides a strong foundation from which we can begin to make sound decisions for ourselves.
For a little more context, let’s talk about Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs - a psychological theory by none other than Abraham Maslow. Maslow believed that humans are motivated by 5 categories of basic needs. Now, this theory has been around for a while so it has been reviewed and re-studied over the years, and two psychologists in 2011 found there to be 6 categories. However, their final categories align very similarly to Maslow’s original 5.
Those 6 main categories of needs are:
Physiological needs
Safety
Love
Pride and respect
Mastery
Autonomy
Addressing each of these categories is important, however, it is crucial to note that when creating the original theory, Maslow structured these categories as a pyramid. These needs build off one another. We cannot find mastery in our lives without first taking care of the other categories before it.
Over the next few weeks on The Stress Less Show, we’ll be talking about each category, but for now, we are starting with the first category - physiological needs.
Our physiological needs are the basics of what we need to survive as a human. We’re talking about food, water, shelter, sleep, warmth, reproduction (though I like to sub in pleasure here!). These are the things that allow us to have the physical and mental energy to get up each day and face what is ahead of us. Here’s a few tips for making sure you are meeting these needs.
Tip #1: Don’t Assume
All of us around the world have different circumstances that affect our ability to meet these basic physiological needs and how consciously we think about them. Many of us are fortunate enough to be able to take care of these needs easily and almost automatically. However, it is important to not assume that just because we have food and water at our disposal, our physiological needs are truly being met.
Tip #2: Investigate!
Clearing away the assumption that our physiological needs are satisfied requires that we get a little curious about ourselves. Particularly in our busy society, we rarely stop to ask ourselves what basic needs do we need to take care of. However, doing so gives us a great place to begin improving the way we care for ourselves so we can continue to grow and meet the challenges ahead.
Here are some questions to help get you started on this basic needs investigation. Get real with yourself here!
Are my physiological needs being met?
Do I have access to clean air?
Do I have access to clean drinking water?
Do I drink enough water each day?
Do I have access to food in a stable, consistent way?
Do I have access to shelter?
Am I worried about paying rent or being able to make my mortgage?
Am I getting enough sleep?
Do I have clothes that fit?
Am I pleasing myself?
Am I eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner?
Tip #3: Take action
We often take all these things for granted, but when we stop to really investigate how we’re doing on our basic physiological needs, what we find can be surprising. So when you discover an area where you are not getting what you need - be it food, water, sleep - brainstorm one small action you can take in 10 minutes or less to help move you in the right direction. Then, do it! Then, brainstorm some more!
Taking little steps each day towards satisfying your basic needs is much more powerful than you might think. Especially now, in the wake of so much change, hardship, and unknown, going back to the basics can be the grounding ritual that keeps you anchored in peace and clarity so you can continue on and make the best of whatever 2021 will bring.