Since the pandemic locked us down at home, many of us, stepped down, not being able to fulfill even the basic needs like getting sleep (physiological need), not feeling safe because of lost jobs, or even health if you got the virus (safety need). We even lost control over the need for belonging when we couldn’t see our family, friends, coworkers, or even neighbors sometimes! Yet the world is shouting at us, start exercising and building healthy habits!

How could we build healthy habits then, when our world is so messed up? I would like to challenge you to investigate your basic needs to find only one habit worth it forming in 3 steps

STEP 1 – Try to answer the following questions and rate each level of needs in a scape 1-10.

Physiological needs

1. Are you getting enough sleep?

2. Are you sleeping too much?

3. Do you eat regular meals?

4. Are you forgetting to eat at all?

5. Are you drinking enough water? If you feel thirsty, that is a sign you are not. Read more here to see how much you should drink.

Safety needs

1. Are you healthy?

2. Do you have access to medical and mental health care?

3. Do you have sufficient income to pay your bills?

4. Do you have where to live?

5. Do you feel safe in your home/work?

The need for belonging

1. Do you have someone that will listen to you?

2. Do you have someone who cares for you?

3. Do you feel loved?

4. Do you feel accepted (just the way you are)?

5. Are you close with your family or a local community?

Esteem

1. Do you feel competent?

2. Do you feel like you achieved or mastered something?

3. Do you feel independent?

4. Do you accept yourself just the way you are?

5. Do you feel respected?

Fulfillment

1. Are you the best version of yourself?

2. Are you able to enjoy the present moment?

3. Do you know what makes you happy?

4. Are you proud of who you are?

5. Are you self-aware of your strengths and weaknesses?

STEP 2 – Once you answered, what is one thing that stops you from growing and being happy? Which area of Maslow’s need you should work on first?

STEP 3 – Based on your self-assessment what is 1 healthy habit that you could commit to for the next 100 days?

For example, if you have the biggest challenge at the safety stage, because of lack of work, could you commit 15 minutes every day to improving your skills?