Being Safe and Well
Once our essential physiological needs for food, water and shelter are met, our need for physical safety and mental wellbeing takes priority.
Whilst we may not always feel that we are making a conscious effort to maintain physical and mental health, we quickly notice when these needs are out of balance.
For instance, when we think our health or safety might be compromised, the adrenal glands release cortisol, evoking a ‘fight or flight’ response (stress), and we become highly motivated to reduce it. This effective coping mechanism evolved in our ancestors to deal with serious survival threats in their environment and has been passed down the generations to us today.
However, where our ancestors used this to fight off life or death situations, the triggers of today are perceived and felt on a prolonged basis, resulting in a constant and persistent feeling of stress. Prolonged stress has been associated with anxiety, depression, and post traumatic stress, and so being healthy and safe is crucial to our core human functioning and underpins our ability to fulfil other important needs.