Physical Need - Fourth of the 5 Needs Areas

A Physical Need is any physiological need that is unmet. Food, water, shelter, and sleep are key physical needs. Most often, the first 3 are met. Sleep is a big factor in mood shifts and emotion management. The amount of sleep someone is getting should always be considered. 

This acronym can be helpful in identifying and solving a physical need – HALT.
     H - Hungry 
     A - Angry 
     L - Lonely
     T - Tired

An unmet physical need can be harder to recognize and often requires more questioning. If the child (or adult) is mopey or hunched over, that could indicate being tired or possibly dehydrated. Test your theory by giving water, a healthy snack, or rest. Do any of these change the energy or mood? If yes, then the unmet physical need is discovered. 

Types of foods used for snacks are important. Use stabilizing foods that are not high in sugar or dyes and instead are high in protein or healthy fats. We talk about healthy snacks and other foods in this blog post. 

An example of addressing a physical need for sleep is described below: 

Does the child (or adult) have a good bedtime routine? This is the practice of bringing yourself “down” from the energy of the day and into an extended rest period. The routine might include avoiding blue light, reading, quiet music, etc. 

 Other things to consider: 

• No eating 1 to 2 hours before bed.
  Why?
  When your body works to digest food, it’s more difficult to enter a deep-sleep state. 
• A good sleep environment.
  Maybe excess light or outside sounds need to be masked or muffled. 

Physical needs are more straightforward but can be harder to recognize. Once found, responding to and implementing changes is often easier than other needs areas. 

I answer this week’s listener question during the episode: What is “behavior” vs a social/emotional delay?

Try-at-home tip:  Alternative seating position.

Several of our blog posts and podcasts discuss related strategies:

• Podcasts - 
  • Why Behavior Occurs - 5 Needs Areas
• Blog Posts – 
  • 5 Reasons Behaviors Occur
  • Progressive Muscle Relaxation for Kids (& Adults!) 
• Do you have a question? I can answer it in a future episode!
  Email questions to podcast@thebehaviorhub.com or send via text to 717-693-7744.
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• Check out our Facebook Group – Raising and Teaching Respectful Children 
• The Behavior Hub website
• The Behavior Hub blog

Are you struggling with behaviors and not sure where to begin? Let me help! Schedule a free discovery call and let me be your Guide.