Mental wellbeing

[chazmaniac]

I was wondering if many people have thought about how their mental health will be affected if TSHTF? I did some reading a while back (as a pre requisite to a course. Sorry I can't remember any references to the studies) and it raised some interesting points.
If the SHTF, something pretty catastrophic must have happened especially if you have to bug out. In this situation, stress levels will naturally increase and can have some dramatic and diverse effects on different people. These can be seen in other scenarios where people "run around like headless chickens" and become totally ineffective. They may concentrate totally on insignifficant tasks that would not improve their situation. In their minds however this task is crucial.
Other people can become totally intraverted and become lost in their own space.
In these situations require a strong leader to focus these individuals and give them sensible, necessary tasks.

I was wondering if this has been part of peoples preps?

[tacticalprepper]

I completely agree that the mental element of well-being is as/more important then the physical well-being. I think that you should have some sort of plan in order to allow yourself to relax to some extent - should you be faced with an emergency. In my 72 hour kit, I have a bar of chocolate. As stupid as it sounds, not only is it a nice treat but it will also release endorphins into the body making you feel happier. The sugars will also temporally kick your mind into gear, something like a RedBull could be just as effective I guess? Something I would tend to stay away from are things like pictures of family members etc, I believe that you should try to keep emotion out of the situation as usually it does no real favors. But definitely something to be aware of, and something I'll review on my own kit too

[essgee23]

hmmm a tricky one - if you are alone - who is going to know you arent right and inform you?

im tending to just go with it, if i lose the plot and friends or family arent there to help...then im just not going to last very long i suppose

[redskies]

I think that an awful lot of folks are going to run up against a widespread but rarely thought of problem. Very few people are comfortable with complete silence; as a species, we're always trying to drown it out. I've also come across very few folks who are comfortable with just their own thoughts, and their own company. This too is going to cause serious problems.

I suspect the majority of execs aren't going to make it. Too impractical, too reliant on others for basics. I also suspect that the majority of just joe public are going to struggle, unless they're lucky enough to have someone who knows how to do things like produce food from a garden and teach them how to find food etc. That sort of person, in that sort of community, is going to end up living like a king/queen, because they know things that lots of other people need to know and don't!

If you can become comfortable with your own company - or learn to live with cabin fever, should your plan be to bug in - you'll probably be ok. But it's going to be a really steep learning curve!

[preppingsu]

If you can become comfortable with your own company - or learn to live with cabin fever, should your plan be to bug in - you'll probably be ok. !

Sounds like heaven...

[redskies]

It doesn't bother me either, Su. I love my family dearly, but I do sometimes wish they'd all go away on holiday and leave me in peace!

I get peopled out very easily; working in the tourist trade doesn't help at all. I end up answering the same question twenty times a day, every day. By the end of the season, I'm so very ready for some peace through the winter!

Same thing can't be said of a lot of others though, and they're going to struggle a lot with it.

[nickdutch]

I dont think that there is one singular answer. It will be a combination of complex coping mechanisms, looking after yourself, meditation and psycho-therapeutic techniques.

[poppypiesdad]

[*]Myself and my split personality will keep each other company , but he goes on and on and on and on

[Cocotte]

I always thought taking charge of those who haven't a clue was a basic prep.
Firm and confident speech, tell everyone what needs to be done and why (basic pyramid of needs). That'll keep their minds focused for the time being. Expect the line "Who put you in charge?" and have a sharp, direct answer prepared.
Personally I'm sticking with "Do you know how to purify water, forage, grow crops, hunt game, create fire from scratch, make tools, build shelters? No? Then pay attention. Once we have what we need to LIVE, then everyone can play King Of The Crap Heap."

From then on it's just setting people simple tasks and teaching. That'll keep your mind focused, theirs focused with a sense of purpose and give everyone time to adjust whilst they have a sense of security that everything will be alright, gaining confidence in their own abilities to manage.

There have been a number of studies showing that expressing a stressful situation leads to faster recovery, the best method is to write what happened. It allows the mind to analyse what happened and see what, where, why and when the events occurred placing it in a narrative. This could be a useful tool on the first night when there's not enough light to work by or when everyone is exhausted.

Social gatherings for a group are a good way of maintaining stress levels, even if it's simply everyone eating together at meal times to discuss their tasks or plans and get feedback from the group. It'll provide social cohesion and hopefully their input will give them a sense of value.

After all the basics are sorted, personally I don't give a damn who wears the crown so long as they're somewhat capable.

[essgee23]

I've been thinking about this more on my long drive today.

And the importance of mental well being is hugely underrated.

Whilst watching Dual Survivors - Cody gave his version of the rules of 3:

You cant survive
3 minutes without hope
3 hours without shelter
3 days without water
3 weeks without food

So I was thinking of the great Maslow and his 'Hiearchy of Needs' (not a fan of wiki but: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Maslo ... _Needs.svg)

The very first structure, which he said all humans must need or meet to then develop to the higher echelons of the pyramid consists of:

Breathing
Food
Water
Sex
Sleep
Homeostasis
Excretion

If we are not of full mental well being, how do we have homeostasis and then how do we go on to survive and prepare shelter, clean water, food etc...

So from this, how am I going to incorporate this into my prepping?? A bloody good question!!!

I have increased my activity level considerably - with an exercise I know to not only increase strength and endurance, but also peace of mind and stress relief.
I have discontinued regular alcohol consumption - as I know this helps me have clarity of mind, and makes me proactive, not reactive in everyday life.
I have taken to not leaving things or having 'ostrich syndrome' any longer. Something needs doing - get on and do it as best you can.
I have looked at further training and development for my job - this has the double edged benefit of helping me to help others but also....helping me understand stuff better.

Hope that wasn't too boring...