Personal Health and Fitness

Being healthy and fit is essential for survival. A strong immune system and fit body is not just essential for avoiding terminal illness that can strike at any time, but your health can give you the edge you need to survive cataclysmic events. A strong body also means strong mental discipline and flexibility in mental processes. A strong mind then supports emotional strength and deliberation which is much needed in difficult times. All of this will be essential if you are to survive. No matter if you are already fit or completely unhealthy, now is a good time to start putting your health first.

Start by exercising at least 30 minutes each day. If you miss a day, that is ok, just get back on track again the next day. Your exercise should be intense enough each day to cause you to break a sweat, have heavy breathing and an increasing heart beat. Exercise in a gym if you must, but it is better to do a variety of outdoor activities because these will tune your body and mind to nature. Running on trails will adapt you to be able to jump over obstacles and endure a variety of terrain.

Next, you should examine your diet. The more whole foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables you eat the better. Avoid anything pre-processed or genetically modified. Organic fresh food is best for your body. Besides being good for your body, it is also good for the community as a whole which you will need to rely on for survival. Eating local food will help reduce CO2 and pollution. Also, be sure to drink plenty of water.

Building personal skills and knowledge

Whatever you do the most is what you will get good at. Whether it be sitting in front of the television or cooking food or some sort of sport, your brain will adapt to your habits and they will become part of your routine. That is why it is important to start adapting to survival skills now, before the incident occurs.

First, go camping. Bring only the bare minimum. Go often. This will adapt you to be self reliant and to use the resources around you to survive. Car camping is a good place to start, but really you should go backpacking. Learn how to carry everything you need on your back. Here is what you should bring backpacking:

-backpack big enough to hold all of your stuff

-sleeping bag

-tent or tarp

-water filter

-food

-knife

-matches or lighter

-non-cotton layers of clothing

-solid water proof boots

Optional items include

-headlamp

-toilet paper

-towel

-cookware

-stove

-book

-foldable shovel

-bear can

-rope

-rain protection (if in temperate climate)

-a gun

-deck of cards

There are many other optional things you can bring backpacking, but the more you bring the more you have to carry. Start by going just for a weekend. Then start planning longer trips like one week or two weeks covering more ground. The more skills you build, the more you will realize that nature can provide you with most of what you need. This will also depend on the wilderness you explore. Some areas are richer in resources than others. Be sure to fully understand what the dangers and precautions of backpacking are before you go.