Many of us know the importance of first aid training and supplies. We may even have some over-the-counter medicines and bandages in our disaster supply kit. But before you can help others, you need to care for your own mental, emotional, and physical wellness.
If you were to stop somebody on the street and ask them, “What are the pillars of emergency preparedness?” you’d likely get a variety of responses. Some would mention having a stockpile of food and water for their family, while others might focus on things like off-grid power or alternative communication methods. And while all of those are valid and foundational to being a prepared citizen, we can almost guarantee that few—if any—would mention the topic of health.
Health can mean a lot of things to different people, and for good reason. To some, health might be associated with diet, focusing on eating well and clean. Others might view health strictly through the lens of physical or mental fitness. While both interpretations are correct, we’d argue that the best definition of health actually combines the two. Our individual health is the foundation upon which the house of preparedness is built. If we don’t take our health and wellness seriously, the rest of the preparedness house can easily crumble.
What if?
So first, let’s discuss why health is not just important, but critical to our overall preparedness. In the event of an emergency, there can be a multitude of unpredictable factors. Say you’re on your way home from work and an earthquake occurs, causing road damage and leaving you stranded. The best course of action might be to hitch a ride home, but if the roads are impassable by vehicle, your only option could be a long walk. If you’re unable to make that journey in a timely manner, you may delay the help your family needs.
Another scenario might involve a massive power outage, leaving your neighborhood without electricity for two weeks. Abruptly living in your own home as if it were the mid-1800s can take a mental toll on anyone, even if it sounds exciting when things are going well. Focusing on getting proper nutrients and maintaining a healthy diet can lead to an overall better-functioning body, which in turn can improve your mood and help you stay alert.
Small steps make a difference
So, how do we focus on health in an easy and effective way? For the physical fitness portion, simply starting a basic routine is the best approach. A general rule of thumb is that the average person needs around 30 minutes of exercise a day. This could include walking, running, biking, swimming, or weightlifting. If you’re not used to exercising, start slow and work your way up to that 30-minute goal.
When it comes to healthy eating, making sure your portions are appropriate and that you’re maintaining a well-balanced diet is key. Remember: fruits, vegetables, and proteins are your healthiest options, and try to avoid eating too many processed foods. Additionally, many people interested in preparedness likely have food stockpiled for disasters. This is a great time to consider adding more traditionally healthy, whole foods to your stockpile, rather than just buying another container of freeze-dried meals.
Whole grains are often a staple of long-term food storage, but many people don’t know how to use them. Learn how to include whole grains in your everyday diet. Practice grinding, cracking, or even sprouting grains, then using them in healthy recipes you like. Raw fruits and vegetables not only add important vitamins and minerals to what you eat, but the “roughage” or the plant fiber helps in proper digestion. Home gardening and growing sprouts are important preparedness skills and are a fun way to add wholesome foods to your diet. Food storage and nutrition, another one of Be Ready Utah’s 12 areas of preparedness, goes hand-in-hand with first aid and well-being.
Physical health contributes significantly to mental and emotional health. When you are in better physical condition with a healthy diet, regular exercise, and sufficient rest, your mind is also better able to adapt to the stresses that come from emergency situations and disasters. Many disaster survivors credit a positive attitude as the reason they were able to overcome their difficult situation when others just gave up. With a positive mindset, you are much more likely to make good decisions during stressful times.
Additionally, physical, mental, and emotional health make you more able to reach out to others who may also be suffering. As you help others, you share each other’s stresses and worries. Your own burdens are made lighter.
Health and well-being are often overlooked parts of emergency preparedness, but they have benefits in your everyday life that go well beyond disasters. Take time this month to review your physical lifestyle. If there are things you’d like to improve, take steps now and make goals to start with a few changes each day. If there are some larger changes you feel like you need to make, talk to your doctor or physician for ideas on how you can safely make improvements in your health. A wise person said, “Nothing in your life will change unless you make a change.” Decide now to change your level of health, well-being, and preparedness for the better.
Visit BeReadyUtah.gov for more information on first aid and well-being in preparation for an emergency.
Do This:
- Determine yours and your family’s unique health and medical needs
- Make a plan to meet those health and medical needs in an emergency without outside help
- Update prescriptions, and when possible, keep a few weeks’ supply of medications on hand
- Speak to your doctor about realistic, healthy goals for personal nutrition and weight management
- Start small, but set a goal to start or continue doing 30 minutes of exercise each day
- With advice from your doctor or physician, evaluate your diet and make changes as necessary
- Include the family by finding fun, age-appropriate, physical activities you can do together to encourage healthy habits
Videos: Watch and share with someone you care about
- The Be Ready Buzz: First Aid Who Is Most Important (2.0 min)
- PrepCast: First Aid, Day-to-Day Emergencies (14.0 min)
- PrepCast: First Aid, Mass Care Emergencies (10.5 min)
Printable brochures: Read and share with someone you care about
Subscribe to receive the Be Ready Utah newsletter.