Which Human Needs Are You Craving?

Imagine that you are sitting at your desk, feeling restless and overwhelmed. You can’t put your finger on it, but something feels off. Maybe it’s the exhaustion from juggling too many tasks at once, or perhaps a constant worry that life isn’t as fulfilling as you had hoped.

What if this feeling is actually your body and mind signaling something deeper?

It is important to understand that we all have basic human needs—both physical and emotional—that drive us. When these needs go unmet, they manifest externally in ways like stress, anxiety, or a feeling of emptiness. Now, the secret to finding joy in life is in recognizing which of these needs you’re craving most right now.

This blog will take a closer look at five important human needs you might be neglecting and how understanding them can help you reach peace of mind. We will also explore the book by Dr. Nate Dallas, You’re Too Good to Feel This Bad, which offers us a fresh perspective on overcoming our anxiety and finding a balance.

Need 1. Connection

Imagine you have been working non-stop. You are handling one responsibility after another, with work and your personal life. And, somewhere along the way, you realize you have lost touch with your friends, family, and even yourself. What happened?

Connection is one of the most important human needs. Take Harry, Ron, and Hermione, for example, from the Harry Potter series. The trio’s friendship epitomizes how deep connections provide strength, resilience, and hope, especially in difficult times.

So, whether it is a connection with others, nature, or even a higher purpose you are missing, finding a solid connection could be the solution to fill the void.

Need 2. Growth

As humans, we are wired for growth, both mentally and physically. If you are stuck in a monotonous routine, never learning anything new, or facing challenges, your life might end up feeling stagnant.

The Stone Age is a perfect example of our innate drive to improve and innovate. During this time, humans would use stones, bones, and wood to create tools for hunting, gathering, and survival. Now, if we stuck to this and did not take it up as a challenge to improve basic things, do you think we would have ended up living as lavishly as we are right now? With our cell phones and tall buildings?

So, could it be that you are not burnt out or sad but are simply craving more growth, new experiences, and new opportunities to prove your abilities to yourself?

Need 3. Certainty

It is amazing how much uncertainty a person faces every single day—financial pressures, career changes, health concerns, and so much more.

We need to know that our future is taken care of, or we will, at some point, be able to take care of it —without a struggle.

If you constantly feel that your future is not certain and you will not succeed if you do not follow a conventionally approved plan, it could leave you feeling overwhelmed and anxious.

Sometimes, all you need is a bit more predictability in your life, whether it is through relationships, work, or finances, and you will feel more connected to yourself again.

Need 4. Contribution

Take a second to ask yourself this: Are you feeling unfulfilled despite achieving your goals?

Sometimes, what we crave is a sense of purpose that goes beyond ourselves. Contributing to something greater, whether it is helping others, supporting a cause, or simply making a positive impact, can satisfy this deep human need.

Take a look at Harry in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. When Harry comes face to face with defeating Voldemort, his true fulfillment does not come from just defeating a villain but from protecting his loved ones and ensuring the safety of the wizarding world.

So, like Harry, sometimes we just need to feel like we are a part of something bigger than ourselves. Finding meaning in what we do can give us the fulfillment we crave and truly help us find that inner peace we have been searching for so long.

Need 5. Variety

What is your favorite meal? What do you crave the most after a hard day at work?

Now, imagine eating the same meal every day, working the same job, and never stepping outside your comfort zone. Even if it is something you love, once it becomes something you do every single day, with no challenges — you end up falling out of love with it.

Variety is best defined as the spice of life, and without it, even the most comfortable routines can start to feel suffocating. If you feel restless or bored, maybe it is time to treat yourself to a change—new hobbies, adventures, or even people!

If any of this sounds familiar, you are not alone. The good news is you can take control of how you meet these needs, and it all starts with self-awareness.

Introducing You’re Too Good to Feel This Bad by Dr. Nate Dallas

In You’re Too Good to Feel This Bad, Dr. Nate Dallas offers us a fresh perspective on why so many of us feel out of sync with our lives despite being successful or highly productive.

He challenges the conventional definition of anxiety and asks us: What if anxiety and that feeling of unease in your chest are not diseases but signals from your body and mind pushing you to make changes?

Dallas presents his own life as an experiment. He systematically evaluates the critical areas that impact our well-being: health, mindset, finances, relationships, and habits. In his writing, he challenges you to pause your hectic life, listen to your inner voice, and figure out what you need to change.

In his three-phase guide, Dallas starts with the basics—physiology—focusing on sleep, nutrition, breathing, and exercise. From there, he dives into psychology, addressing human needs, mindset shifts, and the power of meditation. Finally, he moves into life application, tackling practical areas like money, work, relationships, and recreation.

Each phase gives you practical tools to reform your experience, helping you identify what is missing in your life and where you can make adjustments. So, whether you are craving more connection, variety, or stability, Dallas has done it all! He provides the actionable steps to meet those needs in a healthy, fulfilling way. The first step to this change is when you finally realize that you are important and deserve to feel good, so You’re Too Good to Feel This Bad is the perfect guide to help you figure out where to start. You might be surprised at what you discover about yourself—and what you are really craving. Get your copy from Amazon now!