20 Reasons Preppers Are Happier Than the Rest of the World

by Megan

Although preppers have the reputation of being crazy and paranoid, the truth is that most of usa re truly happier than those who don’t prep. We have a myriad of different opinions about exactly what kind of event is looming and what its impact will be, but they all agree on one thing, our current way of life is in jeopardy. So if preppers feel that impending doom is looming just over the horizon, how are they happier than other people who are in denial or blissfully unaware of what’s coming?

1. Basic Physiological and Security Needs Are Met

One huge reason that preppers are happier is because the very act of prepping is completely oriented toward meeting the bottom two levels of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs which are the Physiological Needs and Safety Needs. The first things most preppers naturally start stockpiling and planning for include food, water, shelter, and medicine all of which serve to meet the basic physiological needs. And a survival plan for many preppers also focuses in great detail on how to protect themselves from the elements such as extreme temperatures and natural disasters which addresses the need for warmth, shelter, etc.

Most preppers also plan for ways to protect themselves and their families from other dangers too, including home invasions, criminal acts (rape, assault, theft, etc.) and other dangerous situations. They plan ways to defend themselves and their families and homes. Ensuring the security and safety of self and family is a huge reason people prep. They have an innate desire to know that no matter what comes at them, they will be relatively safe and secure.

Fear of change can be also paralyzing for many people. One way to address the fear of change that often comes with catastrophic events is to face the possibility of what is coming and create a survival war plan to handle the worst case scenario. Preppers are happier because they know that they have a plan of action for the worst case scenario. They have confronted their fears of what could happen and have prepared to overcome it. Freedom from fear is part of the basic human safety needs that must be met.

Maslow believed that unmet needs in the bottom levels of the pyramid actually interfere with motivation levels to meet needs at the upper levels of the pyramid. Although many preppers may not consciously realize it, having plans and taking action to ensure that one’s basic physiological and safety needs are met, naturally makes people happier.

2. Pride

Preppers are happier because they take pride in the fact that they have a plan in place that will enable them to keep themselves and their family safe and cared for. One of our greatest needs as humans is to survive, to live. Preppers take pride in seeing their food and water stockpile accumulate, they take pride in a well planted garden or a properly working solar power system because they know these are things they helped to create that will help protect their family when times get tough.

3. Saves Money

Prepping when done in an organized way can actually help to save money. Many preppers make use of bulk purchases and couponing to reduce grocery bills. Many preppers recycle used items or buy secondhand items rather than buying new. The use of natural resources such as hunting, fishing, trapping as well as alternative energy such as a solar power generator can also reduce expenses. The money saved can then be used for other purposes such as paying off debt, securing additional supplies or equipment, planting or expanding gardening or livestock capacity, traveling, or even luxury items and activities.

4. Prevents Waste/Helps Planet

Prepping prevents waste because you are purposefully finding alternative uses for things that you normally would have thrown away or things that other people were going to throw away. By reusing and recycling items you are reducing the amount of garbage that goes into landfills. Preppers are happy because they know they are reducing waste and helping the planet at the same time.

5. Keeps you Fit/Stress Relief

Everyone knows that exercise and staying active are great ways to relieve stress, anxiety, and feelings of depression. In today’s society, hardcore prepping can be a great way to reduce stress. If you are spending your spare time hiking, camping, chopping wood, planting a hidden survival garden, etc. then you not only improve your fitness level but you are also experience the regular release of endorphins that positively affect your mood and mental health.

6. Worry Less About Disasters/Know They Are Ready

Preppers are happier because they know that they are making plans that will ensure that they are prepared to survive any type of disaster or event that life may throw at them. Because they know they are prepared and ready to face the dangers in this world, they are able to worry less about those types of events. Preppers spend less time worrying about what might happen because they have confidence in their ability to overcome whatever comes. This means they are happier because they worry less and spend more time enjoying life.

7. Life’s Little Inconveniences Are Nothing to Fret About

Everyone experiences the little inconveniences of life, including preppers. When your average person is caught unprepared by something simple like impossible to open plastic packaging, a flat tire on an isolated highway, or more serious like a prolonged power outage or flooded basement, it can cause stress, fear, and anxiety. When a prepper comes against one of these little inconveniences, stress, fear, and anxiety are pretty much taken out of the equation. A prepper knows they can handle these types of delays because they carry their EDC kit, have a car BOB, and have prepared to manage without power.

8. Cushioned from Unexpected Loss of Income

Preppers are happier than those who don’t prep because they don’t have to worry about short-term things such as a job loss or lay off, taking a cut in pay, or experiencing an illness that affects their regular income. Preppers aren’t going to run out of food or toilet paper if they can’t work for three weeks because they have a stockpile of the basic necessities on hand. Many preppers have also created a financial cushion for themselves or have planned for alternative ways to bring in money if a situation calls for it.

9. More Independent

The very act of prepping, regardless of the amount or level, means that preppers are less dependent on systems outside of themselves to meet their basic physiological and safety needs. Events that would negatively impact other families, such as a shortages or shut downs of grocery stores, gas stations, transportation systems, or other community services, don’t affect preppers.

10. Can Help Others

Preppers are happier than those who don’t prep because they know that they are in the position to help friends and family if needed. Because preppers often stockpile supplies like food, water, toilet paper, and other necessities, they are in a position to help someone else who is experience a shortage of income by providing them with some basic supplies to get them through the crisis. Some preppers are also preparing to help friends and family in the case of a SHTF event.

11. Retirement Planning Is Easier

Part of prepping plans for many people include a gradual path toward becoming as self-sufficient as possible. This means that they are taking action toward becoming debt free, reducing unnecessary expenses, and putting systems in place (solar power, rainwater catchment, garden, etc.) that even further reduces their need to spend cash regularly. Retirement planning is much more involved when your monthly household expenses are $2,500 and you are thousands of dollars in debt than if your monthly expenses are under $500 monthly and you are debt free.

12. Confidence

Preppers are happier because they are more confident. They are confident they can provide for their family when times get tough. They are confident that their home and property is secure and can be defended against possible intruders. They are confident that a natural disaster such as a tornado, flood, or wildfire is something they can survive and bounce back from.

13. Families are Closer

For many preppers, the act of prepping becomes a family project. Families that actively prepare for emergencies and other catastrophic events spend more quality time together. They are more aware of the individual skills, interests, and personal needs of family members. Prepper families develop a team attitude and are invested in actively planning for the protection and survival of the family as a unit. These are activities that just naturally develop closer relationships within the family.

14. Building a legacy

Many people who prep are doing so from a motivation to build a legacy. The preservation of the family is a priority. Prepping creates a safe, secure environment that will protect the current family and future generations. Prepping involves multiple generations, every member of the group is expected to contribute in some way. This means that much of the knowledge and skills of older generations are being purposefully passed on to younger members of the group.

15. Control over life

Prepping creates a greater sense of control of life in general. When you prepare for potential emergencies, you actively choose to take a defensive position and mindset rather than a victim mindset. Instead of just waiting around to see what happens and worrying about what could happen, preppers actively prepare to overcome the obstacles life presents. This provides a greater sense of control over life in general.

16. Leadership

Prepping for a natural disaster or SHTF event develops leadership in even the youngest of preppers. Knowing that you have information and skills that others may not have means that most preppers are preparing to lead others whether it be just their own family members and friends or an entire community. Leadership skills gained through prepping can often spill over into school and career areas which can lead to additional rewards.

17. Responsibility

There is a huge sense of responsibility that comes along with prepping. Knowing that you and your family and possibly friends will depend on what you have prepared to survive is not something to be taken lightly. Food stockpiles must be stored and rotated properly to prevent contamination, equipment must be accessible and operational at a moment’s notice.

18. Learn New Things/New Interests

Preppers are happier because they are constantly learning and practicing new skills that will help them to be ready for whatever events may be coming. Preppers actively take the time to seek out knowledge about new topics, they must be willing to try new things and fail, and to keep trying until they master the survival skills needed to survive.

19. Less Bored /Stay Busy

Preppers are happier because there are so many aspects to prepping and planning that one can never really be bored. There is always something else that can be done if you are bored. Supplies need to be inventoried and rotated, and there is always a practice drill to be executed. Preppers stay busy and they stay active, and this means they experience less boredom and one could even say that staying active helps stave off the normal effects of aging (stiff joints, memory loss, etc.) many people experience.

20. Appreciate The Little Things

Preppers learn to pay attention to everything going on around them because they know that in a post-SHTF event, advance warning can mean the difference between life and death. This sense of being “alert” or “observant” means they notice and appreciate things that most people simply take for granted. Preppers are happier because they can appreciate the little things, from the sounds of the animals in the forest telling them things are normal for now, to a much needed rainfall, or the first shoots of vegetable plants spring up from a well planted garden.

These are just twenty of the reasons that preppers tend to be happier than the rest of the world. Every prepper is different and each person’s definition of happiness varies. If you’re hoping to improve your level of happiness, I would seriously recommend starting off by meeting your physiological and safety needs as outlined in the first item on this list. The longer you prep and the more experienced you get, the more of these benefits you will experience.

If you’re already prepping, tell us why it makes you happier in the comments below.