A person’s attitude has a lot to do with his or her chances of survival in a disaster.  Although survival kits that contain some food, water, a first-aid kit, and some means of making fire are great to have on hand, perhaps more important is having the right attitude.    Here are some tips for productive ways to think that can assist you when disaster strikes.

            *Stay calm and think about the next step you should take.  Disasters can be overwhelming, and many people may panic and throw their hands up in distress.  But thinking about the situation in terms of small increments can be helpful for getting you out of the crisis.  Concentrate on the one thing you should do next, and do it.

            *Believe that you can do something to make a difference in the situation.  If people believe that life happens to them and they can’t do anything about it, they won’t do anything at all.  Believe in yourself and your ability to take action, and your chances for survival are much higher. 

            *Develop a mantra for yourself – something you can say to yourself to get you through a tough situation.  Mantras such as “calm” or “life” or, my personal favorite, “Stop, Think, Observe, Plan” can keep you centered on the task at hand, and they can help clear your head for better thinking.  Say these things to yourself during difficult situations in daily life, and you will be better equipped to use them if a disaster strikes.

            *Think positively.  People who become discouraged easily can fall apart in the face of a disaster.  Learn to take challenges as they come, and think positively about the outcome of the situation.  You will be able to overcome obstacles more easily with a more positive attitude. 

            *Develop a Plan B for your situation.  It can be hard to think clearly in a disaster, so having a backup plan is of the utmost importance.  Make sure it is specific, so you will know when to use it.  For example, if you are lost in a forest and your plan is to walk in a northerly direction to get out of the forest, have a Plan B that says you will backtrack and then try a different direction if you don’t find your way out by a certain time. 

            *Keep your denial in check.  Since it is human nature to think that a disaster could never happen to us, it is important to make sure you are thinking realistically about the situation.  In the example of being lost in the forest, denying that you are lost is not going to help you, but only hinder your chances of getting out.  Learn to see things how they really are and not just how you want them to be. 

            *Trust your instincts about people.  Be sure not to get into a tough situation with someone you don’t feel comfortable with.  Often our instincts tell us a lot about a situation, and we should listen to our own signals.  In other words, don’t go hiking in a forest with someone you don’t trust. 

            *Keep your cool when things go wrong.  Most people will usually become upset when a situation goes downhill, but keeping your emotions in check can be vital.  If you do get stressed out in small situations, stress can take its toll on your mind and body.  Practice keeping calm in your daily routines so you’ll be more prepared to stay calm when you really need to. 

*Learn to understand how your actions can have large effects.  Some think that one person’s actions don’t make much difference in the big picture, but consider the traffic situation in a major city at 5 PM.  One person who decides to slam on his brakes in traffic can cause a major pile-up, injuring or killing other people.  Be aware of the consequences of your actions and act accordingly.

            *Don’t let down your guard until you are completely out of a disaster situation.  Many people may think that they are in the clear once a major goal has been met, but sometimes there are still tough times ahead.  Be sure to keep your wits until the situation is completely over. 

            *Calculate the risk versus the reward in any given situation.  Trying to make it home for dinner can become dangerous if you decide to speed and drive recklessly.  Ask yourself: What is the reward I’m after?  What am I willing to pay for that reward?

            *Try new things!  Believe it or not, getting out of your comfort zone to do new things in everyday life can help you in a disaster situation.  Thinking outside the box can help you in a crisis, but you can’t do that if you don’t know how.  So learn something hard.  Or learn something you already know in a different way.  Constantly using your mind and expanding your mental abilities will help you when disaster strikes. 

            Finally, remember that your attitude is probably the most important factor in helping you to survive a disaster.