How to be healthy, Part 2 of 5

In my last post I discussed how Abraham Maslow developed a system of human needs that we must all meet, and how I have adapted this hierachial system to influence a person's health.

The base or foundation level of the hierachy is the physiological needs. These must be begun to be worked on, and ideally mastered before moving on to the next stage, or level.

This next level is the Safety needs, or otherwise said, all humans need to feel safe. If we do not feel safe there will always be an innate feeling of being un-safe which can be very stressful to the human being and their nervous system. So what does "safety" consist of for human needs?

In order to feel safe we must have:

Security of body,

Security of employment,

Security of resources,

Security of health,

Security of morality,

Security of family,

Security of property.

Of course, very few of these above Securities are what are typically spoken about when it comes to health - its not the typical diet, exercise and drink more water approach.

However, when a person is sitting at the dinner table eating, or in the gym exercising, or at the water fountain rehydrating themselves, is it likely that they are disassociated from the other issues of their life such as their, relationships or finances? Unlikely! Unless of course they are a master meditator :)

So, when it comes to maintaining "security" it means consistency, or the need for an orderly life. Of course when it comes to employment, resources and property the definition of this is different for each and every person. We all feel that we need a different amount of money to survive.

For this aspect of your health, I suggest taking time to think about what it would mean to you to feel secure and safe in the aspects of your finances and your employment, whether that means working for yourself, working part time, needing to be employed and starting up an online business on the side. However, until you know, you will not be able to aim for it. As I mentioned in a previous post on Reverse Engineering Your Goals, you should start with the end in mind.

Take this a step further then a ask yourself what property you would feel safe with, what resources you need to live the life you truly dream of, and then even how your family would look too.

Of course, thinking about it doesn't make it so. Write it down, and then write a step-by-step, timelined action plan to reach your goal by the time you desire.

Lastly, your security of health, body and morality for me come under one category and it all goes back to the Physiological Needs I spoke of in Part 1 of this series. If you are consistently taking action to be healthy through proper dietary practises, maintaining hydrated, exercise enough to get your heart rate up and your muscles pumping a little, and remaining stress free, then you will surely feel more secure.

Remember, health is taking responsibility for yourself. And you are the only one who can do that. Hopefully now you feel more secure knowing that you are in charge of your health!

Next post I will discuss the human need of desiring love and belonging in our lives, once you feel safe and secure in your health and resources.