The Fundamental Need for Safety: A Path to Wellbeing

It’s a question that often goes unasked, lingering quietly in the back of our minds: “Did I feel safe today?” It's an inquiry that cuts to the core of our wellbeing, yet many of us hustle through our days without pausing to reflect on our sense of security. The truth is, the feeling of safety is as vital to our health and happiness as our basic needs for food and water.

Understanding Safety as a Basic Need
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs places safety just above physiological essentials such as food, water, and shelter. This framework in psychology suggests that before we can reach higher levels of self-fulfillment or creativity, we need to feel secure and protected from harm. It’s a basic human need, yet it’s often the most overlooked—especially in our modern, fast-paced world.

The Toll of Insecurity
When we don't feel safe, our bodies are in a constant state of alert. The stress hormones pump through our veins, our muscles are tensed for action, and our minds are clouded by potential threats. Over time, this state of hyper-vigilance can lead to chronic stress, impeding our ability to think clearly, make decisions, and be creative. It wears down our mental health, contributing to anxiety and depression, and can even affect our physical health.

Achieving a Sense of Security
But what happens when we do feel safe? It’s like a weight is lifted off our shoulders. We stop looking over our shoulders, our breaths come easier, and the world seems a little brighter. When safety is assured, our stress levels begin to ebb. We start to feel better, not just mentally, but physically too.

Making Safety a Priority
So, how do we transition from a state of constant alert to one of peace and security? The first step is acknowledgment—recognizing that your feelings of safety, or lack thereof, are valid and worth addressing. From there, the path to improvement can be as unique as each individual’s experience of the world.

For some, enhancing personal safety could mean taking self-defense classes to feel more empowered. For others, it might involve making changes in their environment, such as improving home security, altering routines to avoid unsafe situations, or even relocating to a more secure area if possible.

Community and Connection
Sometimes, the key to feeling safe lies in our relationships with others. Building a supportive community around us, whether it's with friends, family, or local networks, can provide a sense of security that's both profound and comforting.

A Day Without Worry
Imagine going a full day without a single worry about your physical safety. It might seem small, but it’s a significant step toward overall wellbeing. This reprieve allows our minds the freedom to roam, to explore new ideas, and to rest. It’s in this space that we can be our most authentic selves, where creativity flourishes, and where peace is not just a concept, but a lived experience.

Embracing Wellbeing
We often take the feeling of safety for granted, yet it's the very foundation upon which we can build a life full of creativity, joy, and relaxation. So, take the time today to ask yourself, "Did I feel safe?" If not, give yourself permission to make the changes necessary to answer "Yes" tomorrow. In doing so, you are not only acknowledging the importance of your own wellbeing but taking active steps towards achieving it. Safety is a need, not a luxury, and ensuring it is an investment in your quality of life.

If you have any personal safety needs, please call us at 1-877-832-5276 or download our app!