Needs are the fundamental requirements for human survival. Though our wants may change over the years, basic needs such as water, food, and shelter remain the same. Meeting these needs generally requires the resources of a stable environment, with adequate nutrition and access to basic human rights. In fact, understanding our needs and how to fulfill them is a key component of Maslow’s well-known hierarchy of needs. More recently, psychological needs have come to the forefront as an important part of how humans interact with the world and each other. Emotional and social needs are being increasingly recognized as the foundation of human life. Friendships and other relationships are integral supports that contribute to a healthy, well-rounded existence. Emotional security and stability allow us to engage more fully with our environment. The better we understand our needs, the more effectively we can respond to them. Being able to recognize our actual needs and therefore prioritize them can lead to long-term health, happiness, and satisfaction. Meeting our needs can provide us with the security we need to thrive and overcome challenges. Focusing on needs helps us to see what is actually important in life, promoting healthier relationships and ways of living.