The reason why so many of us are feeling anxious and stressed right now is because our basic needs are feeling threatened. with grocery stores running out on food and toilet paper, jobs and income being lost, health scares, and being forced or voluntarily social isolation. The foundations of our pyramids are shaking. Your system might have moved into survival mode and you might feel out of control, anxious, afraid, or hopeless.
manslows hierarchy of needs is organized so that more primitive or basic needs are at the bottom and higher needs are attainable only once the lower needs are met. The bottom four levels of the pyramids are “deficiency needs”. This means if our needs are met , we don’t even think about them, but if they are not met we become anxious.
The fifth level is a “growth need” that gets our attention usually once the deficiency needs are met. Self-actualization includes morality, creativity a desire for inspiration and a drive for growth and personal development. it makes sense.
it makes sense if your bottom four needs are not met. where are you right now on the pyramid?
Please reach out to a loved one or therapist for help and support if you need it.