One key aspect that is often overlooked when it comes to disaster planning is the need for boredom relief. While most of us think about the essential supplies such as food, water, and medical provisions, it’s easy to forget that a crisis situation can bring with it a significant amount of downtime.
Imagine, for example, the power goes out during a blizzard, and suddenly you’re left with only the second half of your “Netflix and chill” plans. This scenario can be frustrating, especially if you have kids who will be climbing the walls in no time.
However, the issue of boredom goes beyond mere annoyance. It can lead to a wide range of problems that can affect your mental and physical health. For instance, being bored for an extended period can cause you to become irritable, anxious, and fidgety. On the other hand, it can also leave you feeling tired and unmotivated. Neither of these scenarios is ideal in the aftermath of a disaster, where you need to be alert, focused, and ready to deal with any situation that arises.
Therefore, it’s crucial to plan for entertainment and other activities that can help relieve boredom during a crisis. While stockpiling essential supplies is undoubtedly necessary, it’s also important to think about things to do when you can’t binge-watch your favorite show. For instance, you can plan on playing board games with your family or reading books that you’ve been putting off for a while. You can also consider purchasing art supplies or puzzles that can keep your mind occupied and your hands busy.
Exercise
Physical activity can be an excellent way to burn off extra energy and stay in shape, making it a valuable asset during both normal times and periods of crisis. By improving your physical condition, you’ll be better equipped to handle stress and the challenges that come with survival situations. And the best part is that you don’t need any special equipment to get started! There are numerous exercises that you can perform using just your own body weight as resistance.
One of the most effective exercises for strengthening your core is the plank, with the front plank being the most popular variation. To perform a front plank, begin by getting down on the floor in the standard push-up position. Instead of extending your arms out and resting on your hands, bend your arms until your forearms and elbows support your weight. Bring your hands together and balance on your toes while keeping your back as straight as possible. It’s crucial to keep breathing while holding the position for as long as you can.
If you’re new to planking, try to hold the position for 20 to 30 seconds at a time. Over the course of several weeks, you can gradually increase the duration to three or four minutes. Traditional exercises like push-ups, sit-ups, and jumping jacks are also great options. Just be sure not to overdo it if your exercise routine has been minimal until now. It’s always a good idea to consult with your physician before starting a new exercise program to ensure that it’s appropriate for your health and fitness level.
Games
Board games are a classic option for passing time, particularly when bad weather strikes. Most families usually have a few of these games lying around, like Monopoly and Risk, and probably even a dusty old box of Chutes and Ladders or Candyland. Now is a great time to bring out those games and go through their contents. You don’t want to end up discovering later that someone has taken off with all the dice in the house or that other pieces are missing.
If you’re interested in expanding your board game collection, you can often find used games at reasonable prices at flea markets, thrift stores, and rummage sales. It’s always a good idea to check the contents of the games to ensure all pieces are present. Missing items can usually be found online, either through the manufacturer or on platforms like eBay.
When playing board games, it’s not uncommon to lose pieces or tokens. If this happens, you can improvise or replace missing pieces with items at home. If you’re looking for more survivalist or prepper-themed board games, Dead of Winter and Settlers of Catan are great options. These games tend to be more complicated than traditional board games like Sorry or Life, so it may take a few rounds to get the hang of the rules and mechanics.
Extra dice are always useful to have on hand, especially if you lose the ones for Monopoly. You can use dice for many different games, like Bar or Poker dice. Tenzi and Yahtzee are popular dice games that can provide hours of entertainment. Large sets of dice are available online at affordable prices. Additionally, scorecards can come in handy for many dice games, so it’s worth purchasing a few packs at the same time.
Playing cards are another inexpensive option for entertainment, with most stores offering them at low prices. You can even find them for ridiculously cheap prices at thrift shops. If you’re a prepper, you can use playing cards that have survival information, wild edibles, or animal tracks printed on them to put a unique spin on the classic poker game. There are many books available that detail the rules and strategies for different card games that can be played alone or with a group.
Conflicted is a fascinating and enjoyable card game specifically for preppers. Cards Against Humanity is a hilarious game, but it’s important to note that it may not be suitable for children or those with a more sensitive disposition.
Reading
Many survivalists and preppers are enthusiastic readers. Once the initial crisis has passed, the downtime provides an excellent opportunity to catch up on those books and magazines that you’ve been meaning to read.
Here’s a fun story for you. Burgess Meredith’s character in the early Twilight Zone episode, “Time Enough At Last,” was obsessed with reading. After surviving an H-bomb explosion, he was ecstatic at the prospect of having all the time he wanted to read. However, he breaks his glasses and is unable to read anything. The moral of the story is to have a backup pair of glasses at home.
Reading also offers the opportunity for storytelling, a fun family activity that is often overlooked. Gather the family and grab a book from the shelf. Take turns reading chapters or sections aloud, using different voices for each character. Alternatively, skip the book and make up stories to tell. Playing story evolution, where each person contributes one line or a single word to the developing story, is also enjoyable. It’s also a great time to share family stories and histories, which is usually a comforting and entertaining topic.
Arts and crafts
In times of stress or crisis, it is important to have activities on hand to keep both children and adults occupied and reduce anxiety. While coloring books are traditionally thought of as activities for children, there is an increasing selection of adult coloring books designed specifically for stress relief. Coloring can be a meditative activity that allows the mind to focus on the present moment, giving a break from stress and anxiety.
For creative family members of any age, breaking out the art supplies can be a great way to pass the time. Drawing paper, colored pencils, crayons, scissors, and glue are all items that can be used to create art projects. For preteens, these supplies can keep them busy for hours. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even add a few tubes of glitter for some extra sparkle and shine.
Depending on the situation, getting outside and exploring nature can be a great way to take your mind off of the crisis. You can take a walk and look for animal tracks, or even show the kids how to make casts of animal prints using plaster of Paris. Once the casts are made, let the kids paint them to add their own unique touch.
Another activity that can be both educational and practical is creating a map of your neighborhood. Hand out blank sheets of paper and ask the kids to make a map of the neighborhood, labeling street names and showing who lives in each house around you. You can use these maps to help illustrate evacuation plans should the need arise. This can also be a good opportunity to teach kids about the importance of being prepared for emergencies and having a plan in place.
Target practice
Air rifles and pellet guns can be valuable tools for preppers and survivalists, providing a means for target practice and hunting small game. These firearms can also be used indoors, as long as you take the necessary safety precautions.
When it comes to indoor target practice, a basement or garage can be an ideal location for creating an impromptu range. Simply set up paper targets and stack cardboard behind them as a backstop. This way, you can practice your marksmanship while minimizing the risk of causing damage to your surroundings.
One of the advantages of using air rifles and pellet guns is the affordability of ammunition. BBs and pellets can be purchased in bulk and stored for long periods of time. While the firearms themselves may require a more significant investment, they can last a long time if properly maintained.
High-powered air rifles can also be used for hunting small game, such as squirrels and rabbits. This can be an important source of food in a survival situation, and practicing with your air rifle can help ensure your accuracy when it matters most.
In addition to being a useful tool for target practice and hunting, air rifles can also be valuable for teaching basic marksmanship and safe firearm handling. They can be a good way to introduce children to the world of firearms in a controlled and safe environment.
It is important to remember, however, that safety should always be your top priority when using air rifles or any other firearms. Whether you are practicing indoors or out, be sure to wear safety goggles and be aware of your surroundings at all times. By taking these common-sense precautions, you can enjoy the benefits of air rifles while minimizing the risks.
Concluding
In conclusion, being prepared for a crisis involves not only stocking up on food, water, and emergency supplies but also preparing for the potential boredom that can come with a power outage or extended period of isolation. By having a variety of indoor and outdoor activities at your disposal, you can keep yourself and your family occupied while also reducing stress and improving your skills.
From board games to coloring books, from air rifles to gardening, there are countless ways to pass the time and strengthen family bonds. It’s important to make family time a priority, not only during a crisis but in our daily lives as well. By doing so, we can create lasting memories and build strong relationships that will serve us well in times of both calm and chaos.
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Great article. A couple of things. Teach kids with nerf guns so they learn basics before handling anything that shoots a real projectile. You made your next article with one paragraph! Give a kid a blank piece of paper and see if they can map their neighborhood??