Human beings have require seven basic things to stay alive and be happy. These basic needs are:
- Air
- Food
- Clothing
- Shelter
- Water
- Love
- Security
The absence of any one makes life difficult; but the absence of air makes life impossible. We always need our basic needs.
AIR
We need air to breathe. Air comprises of a mixture of gases to helps us stay alive. We cannot survive with this air for more than three minutes. Air contains nitrogen, oxygen, water vapor, argon, and some other smaller compounds of gas. Oxygen is the most important gas, it keeps us alive.
FOOD AND WATER
Both food and water help to keep us alive. As a matter of fact up to 60% of our body is made up of water. Water is in our heart, kidney, muscles, bones and lungs. When we don’t drink enough water we could suffer dehydration. Dehydration causes increase thirst, fatigue, headaches and nausea. When you don’t drink enough water, you could damage your muscles and some organ part in your body. We also eat to keep our body healthy and fit. We also need water to bath and water our crops. Above all, water should be clean and free from pollutants.
Our body needs nutritious food to function properly. The nutrients found in food are fats, carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins and minerals. A well-balanced diet can supply all the nutrients the body needs. Nutritious food are meats such as fish, vegetables, legumes, and grains. Sugary foods and drinks, and processed meats and food are not nutritious and could cause us to get sick. However, the body cannot survive without food. Starvation causes organ failure death.
SHELTER
Shelter protects us from external elements in the environment. We must protect ourselves from the cold, excessive heat (heatwaves), hurricanes and storms. It also protects you from danger animals and criminals. You share shelter with your family and the people you care about. A good shelter ensures a good night sleep. We need at least 8 hours of sleep to rejuvenate our mind and body.
CLOTHES
We wear clothes to protect our body from the elements. Our choice of clothes suit our culture, way of life, the occasion and time of day. Clothes do a lot of other things for us. It could tell others who we are and what we do. It can tell you if someone is a nurse, a police officer, etc.
pics astronaut wearing suit to protect him from the harsh atmosphere in space; clothing in the desert, and in cold countries
The above needs are your physiological needs. According to Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs physiological needs deals with maintaining the physical health of our body. They are instinctive and once they are satisfied we seek security.
LOVE AND SECURITY
Everyone, young and old, needs love. We are all God’s creation. We were created out of love and so it is natural that we seek unconditional love from others. All humans seek to belong somewhere and build with others a community and a cohesive unit that includes the family. And for that, we seek security and protection so our community and family are kept in safety and free from destruction. Love and security goes together. Both gives reasons for the other. Security could also come from have a good job, shelter, health and safety.
Basic Needs Song