The identification of human needs is an idea that’s been around for a while in various forms. As well as obvious physical needs, we have also to consider our emotional needs.
From the Human Givens perspective, the list includes:
- The giving and receiving of quality attention
- A sense of autonomy and control over our lives
- Being emotionally connected to others
- Having a sense of achievement and competence in what we do
- Friendship and intimacy (not necessarily sexual)
- A sense of status within the communities we live and work
- Being part of a wider community
- A sense of meaning and purpose, giving us a quality of life that cushions the knocks
- A need for privacy and reflection
The innate resources nature gives us to help get our needs met include:
- A long term memory, enabling us to learn and build knowledge
- An “observing self” – an ability to see ourselves in an objective way
- A dreaming brain, enabling nightly de-arousal of incomplete emotional episodes
- A thinking brain which helps us to rationalise and plan
- Imagination, helping us to create solutions and plan ahead
- An intuitive understanding of the world, through the right hemisphere of the brain
- A social brain – the ability to build rapport, empathise and connect with others
When we use our resources correctly to get our needs met in balance, we cannot be mentally unhealthy.
If you are interested to see how well your emotional needs are met, go to www.enaproject.org and complete an emotional needs audit. It’s anonymous and helps to measure the emotional state of the nation.
Needs and Resources
From the Human Givens perspective, the list includes:
The innate resources nature gives us to help get our needs met include:
When we use our resources correctly to get our needs met in balance, we cannot be mentally unhealthy.
If you are interested to see how well your emotional needs are met, go to www.enaproject.org and complete an emotional needs audit. It’s anonymous and helps to measure the emotional state of the nation.