Why would most people not survive a post-disaster?
The modern world and technology have given human society great comfort in obtaining what is desired and what is needed. The reason most people will not survive a disaster is simply because today, with a few clicks on our phone, we get everything we want.
If you want tea, you can have it. Coffee, with milk and little sugar, you can have it. A manicure or pedicure at home, a massage, you can have that too. A movie? no problem. You must have “a little patience” to choose in Netflix which movie to watch among so many. Closing the doors of our houses and sleeping protected without worrying, opening a tap and having water, lifting a lever and having light, touching a button and communicating with anyone you want and when you want even being on the other side of the world is a luxury. Our mind is used to all those facilities and not waiting to get what we want.
Thousands of years ago we were hungry every day and our only chance of survival was to go hunting animals stronger and more dangerous than us with the possibility of not getting anything to eat for one or several days, or simply dying in the attempt. Every day was a life or death situation. We didn’t even need motivation to wake up in the morning, because we simply had to do it if we didn’t want to be eaten alive by a tiger. When your life depends on something, you approach circumstances very differently.
We have lost our survival instincts and have adapted to “survive” the modern social system. You can see a simple example in how animals wake up easily with the slightest noise or unusual smell. If you have had dogs, you know very well that no matter how asleep he is, there is no way to pass by him without him noticing no matter how slow and silent you are. Our senses have become obsolete compared to the senses of animals because we have been using them less and less throughout our evolution.
Unfortunately, all of that is not going to translate well at all when a disaster strikes. We have become a very fragile, docile, submissive society, very dependent on the social system and technology. When a disaster strikes, electricity, internet and water services will be interrupted for an indefinite period of time, the supply chain will be completely disrupted and there will be people who will want to come and get your stuff. You will have to stay awake if you want to defend your house or land. You no longer have your senses developed to alert you while you sleep like a dog, because your senses lost efficiency with evolution. You will have to stay awake. You will have to have someone to change shifts, you cannot stay awake for more than two days without your mind collapsing. This is just a small example of many others, but it is one of the most significant.
Today, we don’t wait to get what we want or need. We don’t have to sleep on alert because a hungry animal may come and attack us to eat us, we don’t have to live fighting because other tribes want to take over our territory and our belongings.
Today, we must only get a job to survive in our society and if we study and work at what we like, we would have even less to worry about.
Motivation is what makes us achieve our goals, and less and less people have it for the simple fact that we don’t need to earn things like in the old days in order to obtain them with the objective of surviving. Today, to survive, we simply walk into the supermarket and buy what we need. Abundance leads to depreciation no matter what it is. If there were many diamonds in the world and they were easy to get, the diamond would be depreciated and would not be of great value. The same thing happens with the things we buy and get. Abundance is the main reason why 95% of people do not think about preparing for a disaster.
A clear example is children. The majority of children today have so many options and distractions that many don’t know or value what they have and complain about any need they have, no matter how small the need is. The same goes for adults. The problem with that is that when times get tough, many of those people will end up sitting in a corner crying depressed like children because they never had to go through the trouble of getting what they need or living without the comforts that shape our today’s lifestyle.
Usually the most successful people are those who went through the greatest need and/or hard work or had training where they learned to value and work hard for what they have. It has nothing to do with their social class.
How to prepare mentally for post-disaster times by adapting your habits to reduce depression, demotivation and increase your chances of survival?
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Practice fasting every few months. Your mind is designed to cope and there is a healthy side to the process. At first you will feel a strong need to eat, but your brain will begin the process of tolerating hunger. You will be able to achieve this with small, healthy portions of food. You will be able to live perfectly.
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For many, shopping and having something new often gives us a sense of satisfaction and reduces depression. If you are one of those people who depends a lot on material objects and vanities to feel satisfaction and excitement, try to go at least two months without buying anything you do not need. Only buy what you literally need to survive. Material things will be lacking, and you will have to live with what you have and even without the things you had.
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If you are a person who can’t go outside without being made up or fixed, start by building your self-esteem. Go out in the street with the simplest clothes you have, without makeup and your natural hair just as you are, regardless of how people see you. There are people who don’t manage to do that. You must have a high self-esteem and believe in yourself as you are. If you’re religious, don’t expect God to solve things for you with a miracle. Also, don’t ask God why all this is happening. You must assume and accept your situation. You must work hard to succeed. If you don’t trust and have faith in yourself, difficulties will consume you very quickly. Religions teach you to trust God, but none teaches you to trust yourself. Trust God and visualize your goals but don’t forget that the power is yours. Always be calm and do not fall into despair.
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If you are one of those people who only drinks cold water and/or drinks soda and pot juice, drink only room temperature water for several days in a row. Train your mind so that it is not a hardship because it is something you will have to do several times a day in a post disaster situation. Do the same with food.
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Control your vices. If you drink alcohol, try not to drink for a month. If you are a smoker, things can be more difficult. Try to quit smoking or have a good stock in your house.
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Prepare your home with supplies and defense mechanisms. Being prepared will greatly reduce your stress in difficult times even if you do not use anything you’ve stored. It is much better to have your supplies and not need them than to need them and not have them. That will be your best and only life insurance.
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Exercise and eat well. Stay healthy. Your mind will become clearer, you will become less depressed, your stress levels will drop, and your immune system will be stronger.
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Practice. Turn off the electricity, water, telephone, and internet in your home for 5 days. Don’t go out or talk to anyone to realize what you need and don’t need to survive. Make a list of everything you needed during the process. You will be surprised how much you underestimated everything and the mental impact it will have on you.
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Perform all your medical tests on time and don’t leave anything pending regarding your health. Go to the dentist, the eye doctor, and be up to date. You don’t want a toothache when there are no services, or you can’t leave your home.
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Learn a skill you can help others with or practice the ones you know. Money will not be worth anything and you can offer a service in exchange for something you need in return. Make sure you have the necessary tools and the best quality to offer these services.
Remember that since man hunted and was more independent, the world population increased significantly. Now there are 50 billion more people on the planet depending almost all of them on the same system. Only 2% of the world’s population creates, manufactures, and supplies the other 98%. We are more dependent and vulnerable than ever.
Stay humble, kind, smart, safe, and prepared.
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