Maslow’s pyramid after the pandemic

The coronavirus crisis has forced us to readjust our priorities.

Do you think the pandemic has changed the order of your needs? During confinement did you see that your priorities were different? Y... are you familiar with Maslow's pyramid?

The pandemic has reached all of us, whether we wanted it to or not. And with it we have had to turn around how to fit our needs, as if we were looking through a kaleidoscope and turning to see which image best fits our new reality.

Maslow and his pyramid of needs

Already a long time ago Maslow, psychologist and one of the founders of the humanist psychology, spoke of that all the people we all have needs that are arranged in a hierarchical order.and that will lead us to act in a certain way in order to satisfy them. He ordered them in 5 blocks which, from lowest to highest, would be the following.

1. Physiological needs

These would be those most basic for survival, of a more Biological nature, such as food, drinking water, etc.such as food, drinking water, breathing, rest, reproduction or homeostasis.

2. Safety needs

This category would include physical security, job security, resource security, family security, health security, moral security and private property security. and private property.

3. Affiliation needs

Also known as social needs, according to Maslow perhaps less basic. These would be friendship, affection and sexual intimacy..

4. Recognition needs

At this level we would find self-recognition, self-esteem, respect, confidence and success..

5. Self-realization needs

It would be the highest level, the pinnacle, and in this category would fall into the following categories potential development, creativity, spontaneity, acceptance of facts, problem solving, and lack of prejudice..

What does Maslow's pyramid tell us about our pandemic needs?

Maslow told us that in order to complete a higher need we first had to have satisfied the previous oneIn other words, without having satisfied the physiological and security needs, we could not satisfy those of affiliation. But later, it was seen that it is not necessary for some needs to be covered for others to arise.

The pandemic, and in particular the confinement, has made many of these needs more urgent than others.The pandemic, and in particular confinement, has made many of these needs more urgent than others, made some of them unmet, or challenged us to change the way we meet them.

We start with the most basic ones, the physiological ones, which were the first to be put in place just before confinement. We only have to remember the empty food shelves or the controversial stockpiling of toilet paper. If we use Maslow as a guide, it seems logical: people try to stock up on the basics to live in the face of an unprecedented situation that was unknown to us..

Once the most vital needs were covered, the need for security came, the need to protect our health by using gels protect our health by using gels, masks, keeping our distance, etc. But unfortunately many people saw their security needs very affected, either because they passed the virus and their health was very damaged in the short and long term, or because they lost their jobs or entered in the EREs. The employment situation also affected family security, resources and property, so many families have seen their lives change 180 degrees.

If, on the other hand, you have been more fortunate and your basic needs and security have been met, you are sure to find that affiliation needs (meeting friends, chatting, sharing and making plans) came on strong during this period of our lives. during this period when we were at home, and you had to resort to video calls to see and interact with many of your loved ones. And after that, it didn't get any easier, as there were still restrictions on seeing friends and family.

Of course, summer and Christmas were a challenge to not rush madly into everything we needed, and where health had to be put first before affection in order to be safe.

At this point, many people began to feel that their lives were lacking at higher levels, and were inclined to delve deeper into their self-realization needs.They began to rethink their relationships and their life situations in order to seek a change for the better, and this has been noticeable in an increase in the use of psychological services.

What about now?

And now that we can say that we are gradually emerging from this pandemic, Where are you on the pyramid? Have you perhaps had to reorganize your priorities because your situation has changed?

Of course, it is clear to all of us that the pandemic has not left us indifferent. You may have made a review of your values or you may have seen that your priorities have changed.

Following Maslow's pyramid, the most basic needs seem to be covered again. However, reestablishing the second level of needs (security needs, especially those related to work and health) will be one of the most difficult things we will have to face..

On the labor front, the panorama is diverse and plagued with uncertainty: you may be unemployed and the way to go is to keep looking. Or you may have to reactivate your business after losses; or you may have to readapt and return to the office after more than a year of teleworking.

In terms of physical health, although the vaccinations are here and we can see the return to normality and the removal of the masks, there are probably many people who will still feel that uncertainty and the instinct to protect themselves weigh more heavily, and it will take them some time to return to normality. it will take them some time to return to the previous normality, to physical contact and to eliminate all preventive and hygienic measures..

We cannot forget about our mental and emotional health and its care, because it is perhaps one of the needs that are emerging in this progressive recovery of the "new normality".

Before COVID-19 and its multiple consequences, people had faster rhythms, we carried out activities that are not possible during the pandemic, we saw our friends more frequently and in other circumstances, etc. But after the mandatory break we have had to sit down with problems or discomforts that we had not been dealing with for a long time, or with some emotions, feelings or feelings that are not possible in the pandemic.or with some new emotions, feelings or situations to which we have to adapt.

Undoubtedly, reconnecting with our family and friends is one of the most longed-for needs and one that we are and that we are being able to resume. To be able to see each other, make plans, share, hug (how much we have missed it!).... At this point it is important that everyone can review how they are doing and what is the right pace to get back in touch.

That is, instead of planning or attending a meeting with many people, as before, you may need to slow down if you feel overwhelmed and meet only a few friends for a walk outdoors, for example. It is important to resume social relationships but even more important is to do it in the most adjusted and respectful way with yourself.

What about self-realization?

You may have noticed that we have not talked at all about the last level of the hierarchy, the so-called level of self-actualization, because as Maslow said, only once we have covered the lower needs, the higher ones will arise and we will be able to cover them. And it seems that, in this case, the pandemic has kept us very busy trying to reorganize, adapt and survive at more basic levels..

It is true that certain questions began to be asked, for example, who do I want to be when all this is over? Or, what are my priorities or what is most essential to me? But these questions derived in many cases from a feeling of emptiness or loss of what we had before, and the fact of having more time with oneself to be able to observe oneself.

It is possible that as the security and social needs are covered, and we fill those gaps again, we will be in a better disposition to return to the self.We will be in a better position to take up these questions from another angle, no longer from the lack but from the need to grow.

Despite the turmoil caused by this pandemic, which almost turned the pyramid upside down, we have been facing adversity, adapting to the new and unexpected. The famous resilience and the search for new ways of doing and supplying what we need has emerged.

We have seen that some of these needs that Maslow spoke of have been revised during the pandemic or have been more pressing than others as the situation progressed or changed. Right now, when we are starting to come out of it, it is our turn to check them again with awareness and patience..

• Stop to feel how you are, check yourself. Listen to what you need.
• Take into account your context, your environment: what is your situation now?
• Respect and accept your rhythm: advance little by little and progressively.
• Enjoy what you are taking up again.
• Acknowledge your work and your progress.
• And finally, ask for help from a professional if you need it.

Are you interested in psychological assistance?

At TherapyChat we are aware that after the mandatory break, we have changed our needs and we have had to sit down with some new emotions, feelings or situations to which we have to adapt.

Perhaps mental health is that pending task that you have been putting off for a long time but you can't do it anymore. If you are looking for support in this area, in TherapyChat, we have a great team of experts who can guide you so you can achieve your best version.