5 Things Preppers Should Do In The Morning

People tend to think prepping is all about having a survival plan for when the SHTF. But very few people realise that prepping is actually a combination of planning, knowledge, mental preparedness, skills and a general state of mind and of the body that help you survive disasters safe and sound.

Survival is certainly not for everyone, but that doesn`t mean it`s too complicated for most people. The sad truth is that most people don`t want to prepare or are simply too ignorant to care about it. But if they did want it, they could meet all the crucial criteria without giving an arm and leg. Little by little, anyone can build a solid stockpile, make a good family survival plan, learn the best survival techniques and reach that physical and mental state that boosts your energy and improves your response time.

This specific state is what I`d like to talk about today. I realised that many preppers (including me and my family) ignore this crucial factor and, when the time comes, this may  slash our chances of survival. So I`ve decided to start making some changes to make sure I`ve REALLY done everything I could to prepare for the coming disasters and crises.

As I said before, I don`t believe in radical changes, so I`m not planning on turning my lifestyle upside down. It`s stressful and it takes a longer time to adapt. But I am going to change my morning ritual a little and I suggest you do the same or at least take whatever you think is useful and include it in your own ritual.

#1: Wake up rested

This one is extremely important, that`s why it`s #1 on my list. A full night of good sleep can make a world of difference in emergency situations.

Just think about it: Let`s say that, for some reason, you only got to sleep for about 4 hours. You were agitated, just couldn`t take your mind off your problems (maybe some debts or a leaking pipe or perhaps your kid`s got the flu). Your body feels weaker by the hour that goes by and, finally, exhausted, you fall asleep.

At 6am you suddenly jump out of bed when your house starts shaking. You sit still for a a while to understand what`s going on. Your whole house starts to shake again and it takes you a few seconds before you realise there`s an earthquake.

You`re trying to think about what you need to do next, but your senses are completely numb and your mind feels asleep. Your kids come to you running and that`s when you finally wake up and try to remember your survival plan fast, while everything around you seems to crash down to pieces…

Even with all the adrenaline rush, your response time will be slowed down and this could mean the difference between life and death. I know losing sleep doesn`t seem very tragic, but when you see it from a prepper`s point of view, you understand that it is, in fact, underrated. So make sure you go to bed light-hearted and you get enough sleep. It may save your life one day.

#2: Catch up with the latest news

Don`t let a day go by without watching the news, checking the weather in your country and catching up with articles on your favorite survival websites.

Staying informed will instantly boost you to the top of the food chain when a disaster strikes, because you`ll get a head start way before anyone else. Most Americans are so ignorant, they don`t even take warnings seriously, let alone preparing for disasters… That`s why you see so many people losing their lives, their families or their homes every time a hurricane strikes. But you don`t need to be one of them. Knowledge can be the ace up your sleeve, so use it wisely on a daily basis to make sure your family will stay safe and unharmed throughout any disaster.

#3: Don`t miss breakfast

My mom always used to tell me that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Well, I guess every mom has said this at least once in their lives… And they`re perfectly right. A good, balanced breakfast gives you energy for the whole day, which means you`ll successfully avoid getting weak and hungry at inappropriate times.

Just think about how much energy and health matter in an emergency situation. The stronger you are, the more chances you`ve got to survive and help your loved ones, as well. A weak person who`s been deprived of crucial nutrients won`t be able to give 110% and go all Bruce Willis in Die Hard. Sure, they probably won`t make a blockbuster based on your life, but you`ll have the satisfaction that you`ve saved the people you care about most.

#4: Break free from stress

If you wake up in the morning feeling stressed about all those nasty things you`ll have to do at work, about the bills you`ll have to pay or the car that`s stopped working a week ago… you`ve already started the day with a mini-disaster. If a REAL disaster happened, on top of all the problems that are already on your mind, there`s a strong chance you`ll have a break down. And, honestly, there could not be a worse time for a break down!

On the other hand, if the first thing you do in the morning is clear your head, breathe in deeply and thank God for laying a new day in front of you… you get a fresh start and a brand new perspective on things. This way, if – God forbid! – a flash flood hits your area, you`ll be able to think better and clearer, without having the feeling that you`re life is worse than a Greek tragedy. This kind of thought are useless and eat up of your disaster response time, so learn to let go.

#5: Tell your family how much you love them

This is not just for your peace of mind. It also helps build that strong bond that will help your family stay together for better and for worse.

Love can perform miracles and, when it comes to surviving disaster, it`s one of the most important factors. And that`s because a person that loves with all his/her being and feels loved in return will do anything to stay alive and to protect their loved ones, as well. I don`t know about you, but I can`t think of a better reason to fight for my life than to see my family together, safe and happy.

By Alec Deacon