We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again, the apocalypse is coming, and it’s only a matter of when. Just like an intergalactic, cross-dimensional game of poker, the universe is holding its cards tight to its chest, waiting for the right moment to unleash that ace up its sleeve that we here on Earth call the “end of days.”
But there’s no point in being bitter about it or panicking. What’s that thing the boy scouts say about being prepared?
But today, we’re not only going to tackle something a little different but also could have a detrimental effect on your survival in the oncoming Armageddon. And that thing is boredom. Yes, you can laugh (and we’re happy that you can laugh), but the truth is that boredom is as big a threat to your survival as hunger and disease.
Now, we know what you’re thinking: no one ever died of boredom, and that’s true, well, almost. So, how on Earth do we cure boredom in a decimated landscape? It so happens that we have a few ideas.
Keeping Fit
Working out has three significant benefits. It not only keeps the body in good shape maintaining your health but it also keeps the mind sharp and focused, staving off boredom. Of course, in an ideal situation, you are in the countryside with plenty of land where you can exercise. However, ideal situations are hard to come by, especially in an apocalypse.
What you want to do is learn some workout routines that you can do in a small or confined space. Going for a run in a bunker doesn’t seem like a viable possibility now does it? These workout routines should also help you exercise every part of your body, which means that they’re going to be a bit complicated. And as you may have guessed, a complicated routine means you need to maintain focus, which is a good thing indeed.
Maintaining Mental Agility
Keeping your body in shape isn’t enough though, and no matter how fit you are, a bored mind is liable to make mistakes. And not only that but it could even be more susceptible to emotional strain and depression. So, it’s a big deal to keep your mind sharp. The best way to maintain your mental agility is by playing games such as poker and chess or by reading.
Playing Games
Games are great because they help with both your mental and emotional well-being. You see, when you play a game, your mind is occupied, which gives you a sense of accomplishment. That, in turn, makes you happy, which is a good thing indeed.
One of the best games is, of course, chess, but this comes with its set of problems. Imagine you’re in a nuclear wasteland carrying enough food for the next two days and whatever clothes and weapons you found. Would a chess set with its board and 32 pieces be something that you could imagine packing away each night? It’s not likely, is it?
A better game you should consider and one that requires little equipment is poker. Forget carting about a chess board (you’d lose all the pieces anyway) and pop a deck of cards in your pocket. It’s a little-known fact that this card game is one of the best ways to keep your mind active.
Not only does poker improve your cognitive abilities but it also encourages you to embrace strategic thinking. Yes, that’s right, learn how to play Texas Hold ‘em, and it could help you to plan more carefully and manage risks — skills that could come in handy in the whole apocalypse scenario.
Reading
Like chess, reading is problematic in that it requires you to carry around something bulky. However, the good thing is that there are tons of books everywhere you care to look. From magazines on the shelves of abandoned supermarkets to libraries stacked full of books, you’ll likely always find something to read each night.
And don’t worry about what you’re reading too much, as for whether they’re trashy novels or the classics matters not. What’s crucial is the fact that you are keeping your mind active and passing time in a productive way.
Writing
Now, here’s a bonus cure for boredom that while not as exciting as poker is nonetheless a great time killer. Writing about your experiences will encourage you to work out those memory muscles while also allowing you to do something that has a specific goal in mind.
Your journal could be something of a guide to help others who may come across it someday (hey, it’s possible) or it could be something to pass on to someone. Either way, sitting down and writing about your experiences can help you to overcome boredom and relieve some of the tension. You won’t get a book deal, but it will help.
So, keep a deck of cards handy for a game of poker and pack yourself a pencil and a book and boredom in the apocalypse will be no trouble at all. Of course, you’ll have the small matter of food and survival in general to handle, but hey, you won’t be bored while surviving, and that’s something.
Seriously though, keeping your mind sharp when the end of days arrives is essential. So, stay sharp, stay focused and stay alive in the apocalypse.
