The Human Givens –
Meeting our Basic Human Needs

The foundations of good mental health & emotional wellbeing

Research, observation and common sense tell us that we all have certain, basic emotional and physical needs.

A plant without water, light, soil and the essential nutrients wll soon wither, and not reach its natural potential.

Human beings must also have their physical and emotional needs met; unmet needs are likely to result in unwanted behaviours, obsessive thoughts and behaviours, anxiety and depression, or other emotional distress.

For example a person who has insufficient intimacy their life may comfort eat as a poor substitute for the real love that is missing.

If you sit in a hot bath for a long time the water gets colder and colder, but you body adapts to the temperature, until the water is so cold that you have to do something.

So it is with missing basic human needs; a problem may not be apparent for some time and the missing need is not initially noticed as being a factor.

You can assess how well your basic needs are met using the Basic Needs Table

Which of your basic human needs are currently met?

Which ones could be better met?

How will you do that?

What’s your next step towards meeting them?

Call or email me, Michael Lank, to make an appointment:

Telephone: 01273 479397

email: info@michaellank.co.uk