You may have heard of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. It is a theory of motivation which consists of a 5-tier model of human needs. The lower needs need to be satisfied before moving to needs higher up.
Prior to covid-19 , when we were all going about our usual daily lives, we were all meeting our needs at different levels. Some were seeking sufficient food, shelter and clean water. Others were reaching their potential and meeting their self-fulfilment needs. Others were at all stages in between.
However now, we find ourselves all in very different situations to a few weeks ago. Many of us are in lockdown, so we must stay at home. Our daily lives have changed dramatically. All of us are affected in some way by these incredible and unforeseen changes.
Our needs therefore, on Maslow’s Hierarchy, have taken a dive. We are now working towards satisfying the lower needs, the Physiological and Safety needs.
Physiological Needs – We need to find enough food. Supermarkets have seen shortages and queues. There has been stockpiling, while others have been lining up at food banks. We need to find a place to shelter. Some people have a home. Others have been displaced due to travel. Some cannot afford their rent. Others may find their homes inadequate. People may not be sleeping or eating well. They may not be exercising or doing other activities that previously enabled them to be well.
Safety Needs – Many have lost their jobs, some don’t know if their businesses will survive the forced closures. Many industries have stopped overnight and their future is uncertain. Some people are not getting paid at all, some are paid less than before and some are uncertain if they will be paid in the future. People have become unwell, many have died. The virus has spread around the world life wild fire and no-one is immune. People’s mental health has suffered as a result of the stresses.
Our Psychological Needs (Love & Belonging and Esteem) and Self-Fulfillment (Self-actualisation) Needs, have vanished, in order for survival to take over. We may be grieving this loss. We may be unable to see how we can move back to these higher levels whilst basic physiological and safety needs are at the forefront. There may be feelings that arise due to where we now find ourselves which people may find difficult to deal with. Anger, frustration, distress, fear, helpless, confusion, exhaustion, disengaged, despair, disbelief, or anguish.
It can be helpful to understand Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, and to know where you sit right now, what needs you are meeting. Know that if you meet these basic needs, you will move to the higher needs over time. Accept that you cannot achieve the higher levels, if you are not meeting your basic needs. Focus on the present and on the basics. Be kind to yourself, and others. Look after yourself and those around you. Be gentle, be loving and remind yourself that it will be OK.