How to Be Human

Co-authored by John A. Lundin, PsyD

Last Updated: November 5, 2024 References

This article will walk you through the process of living as a human, from the basic necessities of life to the abstract reaches of human aspiration. This article uses the Hierarchy of Needs (conceived by Abraham Maslow, psychologist, and noted human) as its guiding foundation.

Steps

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1
Meet basic physical needs. Human beings cannot exist in a vacuum - without caring for certain physical needs, humans will soon die. Take care of your basic well being or you'll have a very hard time meaningfully pursuing the more advanced steps. At the bare minimum, humans need to:
- Breathe oxygen. Human beings' most pressing need is to breathe air containing oxygen almost constantly. At the absolute longest, humans can go only about 20 minutes without air;^{[1]
  X
  Research source} most can only last a fraction of that time.
- Eat edible foods and drink water. Humans eat food for energy and to provide vital nutrients for essential body processes. At a minimum, humans should consume adequate amounts of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, as well as several essential vitamins and minerals. Humans also drink water, as it is crucial for many internal processes. The precise amounts of food and water you should consume as a human varies based on your size and your level of physical activity.
- Sleep. Humans still aren't completely sure what the purpose of sleep is, though we do know that it's vital for physical and mental performance.^{[2]
  X
  Research source} The healthiest adult humans usually sleep 7-8 hours a night.^{[3]
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  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  
  Go to source}
- Maintain homeostasis. Essentially, humans need to keep their external environment from interfering with their internal body. This can take many forms - for instance, wearing clothes to regulate body temperature and repairing wounds with sutures, bandages, etc.
2
Secure your safety. A human's second responsibility, after meeting their innate requirements for life, is to seek out their safety. To thrive, humans can't be worried about whether they will starve or die - such thoughts will override any attempts to reach higher levels of human accomplishment. Here are just a few ways to ensure you're "safe" as a human:
- Avoid danger. Don't stay near places or situations that can cause physical damage to your body. Injuries can affect your physical health and even cause you to die.
- Get or build a home. Humans need a place to live that offers protection from the elements. At the bare minimum, this place should have four walls and a place to sleep.
- Pursue a living. Most of the planet earth uses money. Money can be exchanged for goods and services, including food, clothing, and shelter. Most humans eventually get a job to receive a dependable stream of money.
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3
Form human relationships. Famous human Aristotle is remembered as saying: "Man is by nature a social animal; an individual who is unsocial naturally and not accidentally is either beneath our notice or more than human."^{[4]
X
Research source} In your life as a human, you will meet people. Some will make you feel good - these are "friends." You may feel a sexual and/or romantic attraction to some: Such a person is a "romantic interest", who can develop into a spouse. A life lived alone is not a fulfilling one - spend time cultivating healthy relationships for a richer, more emotional life.
- To maintain friendships, you'll need to "hang out" with your friends. Invite them over for brunch. Talk about sports. Forge a bond with your friends - help them when they need it, and they'll be around to help you.
- If you're looking for a relationship, most of them start when one person asks another out. See our list of articles on asking humans out for guidance.
4
Cultivate your self-esteem. Humans feel better when they consider themselves valuable and they know that others consider them valuable. It's easiest to respect yourself and for others to respect you if you've achieved something. Try to strive for success, whether it's at your job or in other activities that you practice for fun (these are called "hobbies.") Know and be confident in your own abilities. Respect humans who respect you.
- Relationships with others can help boost your self-esteem when you feel sad, but self-esteem begins within. Don't depend on other peoples' approval for your self-esteem.
5
Validate your existence. Once humans are physically secure, have a foundation of healthy relationships, and have a good self-image, they may begin to ponder questions such as "Why are we here?" Different humans ascribe a variety of purposes to human life. Many humans adopt a set of moral principles or develop their own. Others embark on creative endeavors, expressing their innermost thoughts through art. Others still try to make sense of the universe through science or philosophy. There's no right way to make the most of your existence, but here are just a few ideas:
- Subscribe to an existing (or develop your own) philosophy and/or religion.
- Write, draw, play music or dance.
- Become an innovator in your craft.
- Experience (and care for) nature.
- Whatever you choose to do, try to make your mark on the world. Improve the earth for those who come after you in some way, however small.
6
Learn how to love others and be loved. Love is difficult to define; the Merriam-Webster dictionary defines it as a feeling of intense affection, attachment, and/or desire for another human.^{[5]
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Research source}Many humans say that the best thing in life is to love (and be loved by) other human beings. Many humans get married to commit to a life of loving a romantic partner. Others still start families and have children so that they can love someone from the beginning of his or her life to the point that they die. There's no right way to live a love-filled life - all you can do is follow your heart and embrace love's mysterious, inexplicable humanity.
- You can help a depressed person. The most important aspect of offering support to someone who has depression is through both compassion and boundaries.^{[6]
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- You should be compassionate towards them and help them feel less alone in their suffering.^{[7]
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- However, It is not a good model for a depressed person if you sacrifice your own needs for them.

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Can I be human without validating my existence?

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Yes, but it could be a boring and unfulfilling life.

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What does the average human do if they are not capable of love?

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A human who is incapable of love can still find many other sources of happiness and fulfillment. Do what you enjoy, as long as you're not hurting anybody. Develop your talents and pursue your goals. Try to help others sometimes if you can. Love could still some someday.

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What should I do if I have no friends and I am not satisfied with my life?

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Don't take your self-worth from those around you, you need to find it internally. If you can't control one aspect of your life, throw yourself into something you can control, like self-improvement. Soon enough, your free time will be occupied and friends will come naturally.

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Many human philosophies and religions advocate a concept called "The Golden Rule," which is: "Do to others what you would have them do to you."

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