Applying Pandemic Lessons to Future Prepping
It doesn’t matter what your opinion is on politics and pandemics alike — everyone agrees that crises are going to happen from time to time.
Take the multi-waved coronavirus as an example. When the pandemic began, it was an earth-shaking event, but it was just one in an endless procession of pandemic-related threats. Within months of a vaccine being developed, a second wave began to get underway. Businesses began to be reclosed in areas and case numbers started to spike.
At the time of this writing, cases are somewhat stable, and economies are trying their level best to reopen. But the truth is, there could be news of another wave — or even another virus altogether — tomorrow that sends everything to hell in a handbasket all over again.
And if we’ve said it once, we’ve said it a hundred times: That wouldn’t be anything new.
If you’re a prepper, you’re likely comfortable with disconcerting concepts like turbulent times, unknown futures, and “new normals.” Nevertheless, it’s helpful to take a step back during especially dramatic times such as these to consider the lessons that we’ve learned.
Here are a few physical, mental, and emotional takeaways from the past couple of years that can be used to prep for whatever melodramatics the future may hold.
Prepping Physically
Being physically prepared for the worst is the area where most preppers shine. After all, we’re all about having the right tools, shelter, and supplies on hand in the event of any and every emergency.
That said, even the pros can get a little rusty when they’re sitting around waiting for the action to start. When that’s the case, it can be helpful to run over the best ways to be physically prepared for the SHTF moments.
Let’s revisit the basics, shall we?
Food and Water
Fortunately, a pandemic like the current one doesn’t require much in the sense of water storage or electricity. It’s not like we’re at war or we have human enemies going after the power grid.
Of course, you can always plot out scenarios where things get that bad, but by and large, you shouldn’t have to worry much about staying hydrated or keeping the lights on this winter.
Nevertheless, when it comes to being prepared, it’s still important to have a good stock of victuals on hand — you know, just in case bad news sets off a second round of panicked food-stockpiling that leads to, oh, say a 3,400% pantry surge from out of left field.
The point is, take some time to conduct a quick review of your food and water scenario. This doesn’t just apply to freeze-dried dainties and those buried MREs preserved for your tasteless delight, either.
If you used the past few months in quarantine as an opportunity to get some homestead animals — seriously, everyone and their mother has chickens at this point — it’s also a good idea to ensure that you’ve got enough feed on hand to keep those birds healthy and laying right through the winter. Most feed, if properly stored, should last you about six months, so you don’t have to worry about your animal’s food stores going bad before the spring weather rolls back around.
Prepping Your Homestead
Along with food, it’s also a good idea to batten down the hatches around your homestead as well. We’re writing this as the chilly fall temperatures are starting to descend on the northern hemisphere.
Make sure that everything is ready for the colder weather. Seal up leaks, clean out the furnace, and stack the firewood.
The simple goal, here, should be to avoid needing to make any trips to Lowes or Home Depot in the middle of a large, mask-wearing mob.
Prepping Your Body
It’s also important to think about your mortal frame in the upcoming months. Physical activity is notoriously tough to keep up during the cold weather, and if the gyms shut down again, you’re going to want to have a plan in place in order to stay in shape.
We’re not talking about arrogant, body-building workouts, here. The focus should be good old prepper/survivalist conditioning. You know, cardio, push-ups, and all that good stuff that can help you keep up with a catastrophe. A few suggestions for ways to keep your body in shape are:
Getting at-home exercise equipment like an exercise bike or a treadmill.
Using YouTube or other online videos to help you stay motivated and on point.
Starting or ending each day with a 7-minute workout.
Finding an accountability partner to help you stay honest about your fitness efforts.
Keeping your body in shape can reduce stress, preserve your health, and even improve your chances of survival if this is the year that we finally get a zombie apocalypse — you know, with the faster, Zombieland kind of undead that make you sprint when they catch sight of you.
Prepping Mentally and Emotionally
Along with prepping for the physical stuff, it’s also important to take some time to prepare mentally and emotionally for any curveballs that you might face over time. Remember, the world can go into a state of panic at any moment, and the last thing that you want to do is use that time to unleash your melodramatic side.
Instead, equip yourself with whatever mental and emotional wellness techniques you need in order to stay positive throughout any ongoing challenges. A few suggestions include:
Maintaining a good perspective: Perspective is a key mental health tool that can help you stay positive, thankful, and grateful whether everything’s hunky-dory or you’re in the middle of a quarantine.
Practicing good financial discipline: It doesn’t matter if you’re prepping for the apocalypse or buying Christmas presents. Practicing good financial discipline is a good way to avoid the stress that comes from reckless and excessive spending. Staying out of debt is also a good way to remain disconnected from the wares and cares of the world around you.
Adopting good work-from-home habits: If you’re still working remotely, especially in a small space like an apartment, you want to keep yourself in a positive mindset as you spend so much time in isolation. Make sure to maintain daily routines and dedicate areas of your living space that are specifically dedicated to work, recreation, and rest.
Find good coping mechanisms: If outside stress and anxiety creep in from time to time, that’s understandable. Fortunately, you can combat them with a variety of different techniques, such as prayer, meditation, deep breathing, and even reading through a muscle relaxation script.
Having food and shelter are critical survival factors. However, caring for the mental and emotional health of you and your loved ones is another essential priority. Sure, these more internal aspects of survival tend to fall higher up on Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs.
Honestly, though, in some ways, that’s precisely what makes them that much more important to address if you want to get through a crisis without falling into a barbaric, chaotic mess.
Prepping During a Pandemic
Who would have thought, just a few short years ago, that we’d be testing out our prepper skill — you know, in real-time during a pandemic?
The first round of quarantines and shelter-in-place orders are already a year in the rearview mirror, and yet the future remains anything but certain. With case numbers trending up and down depending on the day and social distancing precautions still in place in many areas, it’s important to head into the next few months ready for whatever may come down the pike.
This doesn’t just help us take care of our own needs. It also puts us in a prime position to help those around us whenever we see a need arise.
So take stock of your physical, mental, and emotional preparedness. Set up those lifelines and get ready for whatever the future may hold. If the last couple of years is any indication, we may be in for a bumpy ride.