The pyramide of human needs. Always a very interesting image to look at and evaluate where i am standing in the ''now''.
My friend explained it a bit in depth with this text.
In the following pyramid are listed human needs in rank of importance that if not satisfied lead to unconscious behavioral and physiological compensating mechanisms which have an impact also on our physical body (psychosomatic effects). For example, it's been proved that if we unconsciously give too much attention and importance to what we eat exceeding the common sense and getting obsessed (could also happen with physical practices), we may find ourselves in front of an unconscious way to compensate deficiencies of levels 3 and 4 of the pyramid (remember that we are social animals and certain needs are intrinsic in our nature). Lack of self esteem, not feeling recognized and appreciated by the 'pack' (tribe/family/reference points/role models in nowadays society), feeling not belonging to any social group, not having a social role, lack of economic and material stability (eg house that would be a place where to feel safe in the primordial nature), feeling alone, thinking of having a bad reputation and not receiving recognition and respect, lacking sense of connection with the own 'tribe', being bored, not receiving and not giving love, feeling useless, covering a wrong role in the society (eg. being leaders (alphas) if our nature supposed to cover other roles like protectors or hunters...) etc.. are many examples of level 2, 3 and 4 need deficiencies that if not solved/satisfied will lead to first emotional and then physical symptoms, triggering in the body states of alert which can cause adrenaline release (cortisol, stress hormones), anxiety and stress (fight/defense mode) which was useful for our ancestors when predators were trying to chase them in the wild nature. In these conditions, for example, digestion is naturally compromised because our survival instinct will focus on other priorities so no matter what you will eat, you will not digest properly the food. Other unconscious ways to compensate human needs unbalances could be: eating to fill lack of love, attention and boredom, being control and obsession freaks because of lack of self-esteem (eg. eating disorders). Sometimes we even make choices to (unconsciously) compensate level 3 unbalances (need to be part of a social group and increase our self-esteem, specially who often identifies him/herself with a label). Its very common for example that the digestion is compromised in people where 'love & belonging' needs are not fulfilled, eating or obsessive disorders manifest themselves to those who do not satisfy self-esteem needs, anxiety manifests itself In those who have not achieved safety and security requirements. Nowadays attention goes only to what we put in our body (food, supplements...), but sometimes we should question ourselves to check if human needs in our life are fulfilled/met/satisfied, worth the physical health. Remember the psyche modifies the matter, so focus on all aspects of life, not just the material/basic ones which guarantee survival in order to achieve a full physical and emotional health (surviving is not living!)
