Preparing for Civil Unrest: Your Comprehensive Guide to Staying Safe
Living in areas where civil unrest may occur can leave individuals feeling uneasy or scared. Here's some advice on staying safe and managing anxiety in such situations:
Civil unrest refers to various group actions that generally take place during peaceful times. These events can range from peaceful protests to violent riots and acts of terrorism. Understanding the causes and how to prepare can help reduce anxiety.
Common causes of civil unrest include:
- Economic factors, such as poverty, institutional failures, and a youth bulge.
- Political factors, such as relative deprivation and conflicts driven by both economic motivations and political or social grievances.
- Social factors, including ethnic and religious conflicts and resource mobilization.
Preparing for civil unrest can help reduce anxiety. Tips for doing so include enhancing situational awareness, building a comprehensive knowledge base, acquiring practical self-defense skills, managing resources, and engaging in community building.
Anxiety is a natural response to threats and uncertainty, including the possibility of civil unrest. Persistent and difficult-to-control anxiety may indicate an anxiety disorder, which requires seeking medical attention.
To manage anxiety related to civil unrest, avoid distractions, practice slow diaphragmatic breathing, and consider starting a 3-month program to become worry-free by talking to a therapist or engaging in cognitive behavioral therapy. Regularly reviewing preparedness material can also be beneficial.
In the event of civil unrest, stay informed, make a plan, stay alert, stick together, seek an escape route, seek shelter, and leave the area when safe. If an active shooter is nearby, evacuate if possible, hide, remain calm, take action as a last resort, and call 911 when safe.
Resources like "Uncivil: A Patriot’s Playbook for Navigating Civil Unrest" can offer guidance during preparation, offering a money-back guarantee and immediate access.
Civil unrest can significantly increase an individual's anxiety levels, given the unpredictability and potential danger involved. Managing this anxiety involves techniques such as avoiding distractions, practicing slow diaphragmatic breathing, and seeking help from a therapist or engaging in cognitive behavioral therapy.