Start with the basics.

Mental health and general health and wellness are often seen as complex, intricate and delicate issues to manage. But when broken down, the majority of our concerns and problems lead back to very basic concepts that are simple to fix. More often than not, the simplest fix is the most effective!

In this first blog post, I want to start with the basics. What are the things in life that every individual needs in order to feel well? The easy answer is: Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. In his paper written in 1943, “A Theory of Human Motivation”, Maslow described a universal hierarchy of needs that build upon each other, and until our basic needs are met, our motivation to engage in other behaviors will be limited.

Where do we start? Let’s take a look:

The most basic needs include those for survival: food, water, warmth, and rest. Following that is safety and security and then love. If we start with small changes to address any deficiencies or difficulties with meeting our basic needs, our functioning and wellbeing will improve.

What could use improvement in your life? Do you get enough sleep? Are you eating regularly? Drinking enough water? How are you managing your stress? Rest is more than just the physical but also emotional and mental.

Is there anything you can do today to make a small change toward making sure your basic needs are met?

Remember that you can’t build a good home without a good foundation. So start with building a sturdy foundation for yourself in being able to manage the difficulties of your life.

Look for more blog posts for resources on healthy eating, sleep, exercise and mindfulness routines to support building your foundation for mental wellness.

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Resources:

“A Theory of Human Motivation.” http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.318.2317&rep=rep1&type=pdf

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Picture. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maslow%27s_hierarchy_of_needs#/media/File:Maslow's_Hierarchy_of_Needs.jpg