Understanding Your Psychological, Social And Emotional Needs During COVID-19

Have you ever thought why, as individuals, we behave very differently? Or why siblings brought up in the same house, act differently in various situations? How about exploring this thought through this common theory?

As human beings, we often tend to find solutions to our problems on the surface level. The surface level is that area where we can easily find gratification and feel that we have addressed the issue with minimal effort. However, a better approach to understanding the root cause of any issue would be by addressing the needs that govern our behaviour. And this brings us to the theory of ‘Hierarchy of Needs’ by the Humanistic Psychologist Abraham Maslow. According to Maslow, needs are endless and they keep on emerging and progressing once a particular need is satisfied. Maslow tried to conceptualise the driving force of behaviour by 5 common needs arranged in a hierarchy form.

For further understanding, the first four needs at the bottom level, that is, Physiological, Safety, Love/Belonging, and Esteem needs came to be known as ‘Deficiency Needs”. Deficiency Needs are those needs that are vital for our survival and help us remain motivated. Self-Actualization, under the category of Growth Needs talks about growing as a person without any outside motivation. The sole factor that pushes our behaviour towards this need is the constant desire to become a better version of ourselves and realise one’s true potential.

The theory sounds simple, right? Well, it is really simple yet, we fail to implement this in our daily lives. Let’s take into consideration the current scenario. COVID 19 is spread across the world by affecting almost 50% of the population on earth. Countries are pushing lockdown to control the spreading of the virus and people are in isolation. In times like these, it is more than ever necessary to bring into attention how we are planning to handle our mental health. These days, a large number of people are focused on securing their deficiency needs. With social isolation, economic slump down, and working from home or not working at all in place, our mental health is highly affected and is resulting in anxiety, panic, depression and even substance abuse.

Remember Rohan from our previous article? He was going through the same. It was difficult for him to realise his true potential because his basic needs were affected. Not being near his friends or family was equally disturbing and painful. However, counselling helped him address his needs and now, he is doing well. This is how simple it is. You address your need, and you get what you want.

Here are a few suggestions that Yo Zindagi would like to recommend:

• Use social media and technology to the fullest. Connect with your friends who you lost because of your work. Stay in touch with family and have enough stories to share over a video call or lunch.
• ‘Sharing is Caring’ as rightly said by somebody would help us to meet our need for affiliation.
• Try your hand on a new recipe or a hobby. Get creative and decorate your house or just start painting. It is not just relaxing but will help you in realising different shades of yourself. Not just that, this process is also rewarding as it helps in gaining confidence and channelizes our energy in a positive direction.
• Love for books, then go ahead, read them! I am sure they have better and creative ideas to be implemented during this lockdown.
• Nothing else to do? Then how about just watching a series or a movie and then having a discussion about it over a coffee? I am sure it will bring many different perspectives on the table and widen your horizon.

Don’t forget, Maslow did make sense and now is asking us to put his thought into our daily lives. If you are still finding it hard, then please reach out to Yo Zindagi. Our team has loads and loads of support to lend.

This article is written by Snigdha Nair who is providing online counselling support during the Coronavirus Epidemic. 

Yo Zindagi is a campaign to Promote Mental Health and Emotional Maturity by engaging individuals in conversations and workshop. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.