Maslow's 1943 framework remains one of the most widely referenced models in psychology, organisational behaviour, and mental health practice
We all know Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs — but how often do we actually use it? Before self-optimising, check in: Have I eaten? Have I rested? Do I feel safe? Do I feel connected? Sometimes the most profound intervention isn't cognitive — it's foundational.
A Framework We Know but Rarely Use
Check In with Your Needs
A Practical Framework, Not Just Theory
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs is a psychological framework developed by Abraham Maslow in 1943. It organises human needs into five levels: physiological (food, sleep, shelter), safety (security, stability), love and belonging (connection, relationships), esteem (self-worth, recognition), and self-actualisation (reaching your full potential). The idea is that lower-level needs must be reasonably met before higher-level needs become a priority.
When you feel anxious, burnt out, or emotionally off, use the hierarchy as a check-in tool. Start from the bottom: Are you eating well? Sleeping enough? Do you feel physically safe and financially stable? Do you have meaningful connections? Do you feel valued? Often, emotional distress traces back to an unmet need at a more basic level than we initially assume.
Somatic needs relate to the body — sleep, nutrition, movement, and physical regulation. They matter because the nervous system responds to physical safety signals before cognitive ones. If your body is depleted, stressed, or dysregulated, no amount of positive thinking will fully resolve your emotional distress. Meeting somatic needs is foundational to mental wellbeing.
Anxiety often has a physiological component — an activated nervous system that doesn't respond to logic alone. If basic needs like sleep, safety, or connection are unmet, your body stays in a stress response. Addressing foundational needs first creates the physical and emotional safety that allows cognitive strategies to actually work.