Caring for the needs of all species

This is a scribble page with the intention to sharpen the thinking, and invite feedback.

Understanding the needs of species can help us to co-create conditions for life to thrive.

Human needs

Physical needs

Nutrition¹
Shelter¹
Sleep¹
Connection, touch¹: Oxytocin

Psychological, emotional and spiritual needs

Love, connection¹, a sense of belonging
Safety, certainty²
Novelty¹, exploration, adventure, uncertainty²: Dopamine, Serotonin, Endorphins
Self-expression, creativity
A sense of purpose
Freedom

1 Nicole Gravagna summarises 75 years of research in psychology, neuroscience and sociology on human needs since Maslow in Forbes https://www.forbes.com/sites/quora/2018/02/05/six-fundamental-human-needs-we-need-to-meet-to-live-our-best-lives/ accessed on 11 April 2023

“Food - The body needs calories and a variety of nutrients including protein, fat, and carbohydrates everyday to grow, function, and repair. Without food, the body begins to atrophy.
Water - Ample hydration allows for the processes of the body to occur. Without water the body cannot process food or remove wastes.
Shelter - We require protection from blazing sun, freezing temperatures, wind, and rain. Without shelter, human skin and organs are damaged from extreme temperatures.
Sleep - 6–9 hours of sleep every 24 hours allows the brain to process new knowledge and deal with emotional information. Without ample sleep, we cannot learn new things or get past emotional pain.
Others - Adults require connection (physical or emotional) with other humans to release certain hormones like oxytocin. Human touch is so important that when we are young, our brains don’t develop correctly without it. Regular connection to others allows us to maintain a sense of well-being that allows for self-care.
Novelty - Novelty creates the opportunity to learn and the potential to fail, which stimulates dopamine release in the brain. Without regular novelty, motivation wanes, and a healthy sense of well-being is lost.”

2 Tony Robbins summarises human needs as follows: www.tonyrobbins.com/mind-meaning/do-you-need-to-feel-significant/ accessed on 17 August 2023

“Certainty: assurance you can avoid pain and gain pleasure
Uncertainty/Variety: the need for the unknown, change, new stimuli
Significance: feeling unique, important, special or needed
Connection/Love: a strong feeling of closeness or union with someone or something
Growth: an expansion of capacity, capability or understanding
Contribution: a sense of service and focus on helping, giving to and supporting others”

Topics to explore

Needs vs wants
DOSE: Dopamine, Oxytocin, Serotonin, Endorphins
Sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems
Example: The needs of a dog. How it has evolved over the aeons
Brainwaves: Yoga nidra on well-being, regeneration

Sources to explore: Scientific & experiential, qualitative

Nicole Gravagna
Maslow
Eastern wisdom on human needs and happiness, e.g. Alan Watts, Thich Nhat Hanh
Tony Robbins
Search Inside Yourself Book: Research on ‘The happiest human’