(Modern Survival.org) – Following a Large-Scale Disaster, Which of These Won’t Help You Avoid Depression?
- Establishing Routines
- Staying Busy
Answer: Isolation. Here’s why…
Surviving in the aftermath of an apocalyptic event would be rough on even the grittiest of survivalists. No matter how well prepared a person may be, the harsh realities of living in a new world devoid of electricity, modern medicine, and the conveniences of the old world would take a toll on anyone’s sanity.
Depression after SHTF will be a very real problem, and there likely won’t be an abundance of doctors or medications available to help address it. Should the time come when doctors are unavailable and medication has run dry, the following tips could help a person with depression in a SHTF scenario.
Keep the Mind Busy
One way to potentially fight off depression is by keeping the mind busy. Similar to how a panicking person is given tasks that distract them, keeping busy could potentially help stave off depression following a large-scale disaster.
Keeping the mind busy and focused on specific tasks helps redirect it from thoughts of depression — or thoughts of the more horrific aspects of a post-disaster world. Creating daily routines can help keep the mind busy by establishing a series of tasks and a sense of normalcy, which will be sorely missed in an apocalyptic landscape.
Focusing on tasks not only keeps the mind from wandering but also brings a feeling of accomplishment each time one is completed. Little wins add up over time, and in this scenario, they can aid in long-term survival.
Being completely cut off from others is incredibly bad for most people — even those who hate talking to their neighbors and avoid social interaction. Humans are social creatures, and, in extreme cases, isolation may lead to paranoia, anxiety, and even hallucinations.
If one finds themselves truly alone following an apocalyptic event, anthropomorphizing could be the key to staying sane. Anthropomorphizing, or treating an inanimate object as if it were human, may help someone handle being alone. A famous example of this is shown in the movie Castaway, in which the protagonist begins talking to a volleyball in order to fight off the effects of isolation.
Keep Hope Alive
When the world has seemingly gone to ruin, reasons to keep the spark of hope alive may be hard to come by. However, hope gives a person a reason to live, which will be vital in this scenario. It could be hope for better days or the hope of being reunited with friends and family. Regardless of the reason, hope is an incredibly powerful emotion that will keep a person going when all else seems lost.
Staying sane in the aftermath of a SHTF scenario will be more difficult than many people realize — even for those who are mentally tough. Taking time to recognize the adverse effects that trauma will have on one’s mind is important, though, as it is the most important survival tool anyone will ever have.
To see why the mind is the most important survival tool and how to develop a survival mindset, check out this article.
~Here’s to Your Survival!
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