Health and Wellness is about providing to your being what it
needs in the correct order.
Introduction
The hierarchy of needs which was first
defined by Abraham Maslow in 1943 as an article in his
publication Theory of Human Motivation very well
explain the steps in which we should go through to
achieve a state of well being.
When our needs are not being met, stress is produced in the body which is a contributing factor to disease. Dis-ease has been said to be a state of mind which is not at-ease.
According to Maslow, a higher need cannot be fulfilled until a lower need is met. To the being in question, these needs have to appear to be satisfied in order to feel at-ease.
To Illustrate
- It is difficult to participate in the process of self-actualization while in fear of not being able to pay bills.
- It is difficult to seek love or esteem while the body is in a dangerous environment like a hazardous work place or an abusive relationship.
Physiological
The first step to health and wellness is to be able to
obtain the basic things which our body needs to
function in the proper manner in which our body was
designed to be.
Some of the things which a person needs to start
attaining and staying healthy is being able to
provide the self with proper breathing, food, water,
sleep, excretion, and the like.
Among all things, this is perhaps the most general and
common standard for human existence in which an
absence of these would result to outright illness and
complications on the other areas of needs of the human
being.
Safety
The next level of need which the body needs is the
safety of these physiological parts from external and
internal stimuli which may cause them to malfunction
or dysfunction.
These internal factors include the
germs and bacteria which invade our bodies and wreak
havoc in our physiological processes. External forces
may be any of the environmental objects which may pose
a threat to our whole being.
Safety of the body is needed after being able to
provide the same with the necessary starter
supplements. Keeping the body safe from harm and by
keeping a proper form of hygiene would definitely help
in maintaining safety of the body.
Love
Love is the affection and concern received by the self
from the different social constructs surrounding him.
Staying healthy would also need a form of affirmation
and care from the others as we are social creatures. A
lack of proper affection may lead to complications in
the next two higher levels of needs, going towards the
psychological area of existence.
Love may not always be the romantic love that one
seeks, but rather the love of just being accepted as
an individual with a distinct personality.
Esteem
Esteem has to be the desired effect of the individual
after the immediate acquisition of the previous aspect
of love. A person with esteem may be able to do more
things beyond his known personal limit. It manifests a
person's will to fight and the urge to carry on with
things to overcome challenges. Sometimes, esteem is
based and dependent on the people believing in him.
Self Actualization
After all the previous physiological needs have been
met, the final and most important need of self
actualization is required. The psychological need of
self-actualization is needed to finalize and solidify
the four other levels of needs of every individual.
In this aspect, the brain is the focal and controlling
factor in holding all the other four together to
achieve homeostasis. No matter how capable the body is
to do healthy tasks, if the mind is unhealthy, then
everything else will deteriorate afterwards.
Staying healthy by following the Maslow's hierarchy of
needs is an essential step by step needs assessment to
stay focused on what area's of existence are most
important to be attained fully first before proceeding
to the next in attaining a perfect state of health and wellness.
Conclusion
This process is automatic because we will not be focused on a higher need before a lower need is met. It is built into the being to address the need that is required right now. This can raise other important issues because in many cases their needs
are met, but their own fears tell them that they are not.
