Are You Mentally, Physically, and Spiritually Prepared for a Worldwide Blackout?

Imagine the lights go out. Not just in your home, but everywhere. No phone, no internet, no news. Just quiet, and the question: what now?

For many people, that thought alone brings on a tight chest and a racing mind. And lately, that thought is everywhere.

Why Everyone Is Talking About Blackouts Right Now

On October 22, the United Kingdom launched a three-year campaign called "Be Ready," asking every household to keep 72 hours of supplies at home: water, food that needs no cooking, a radio, a power bank, a flashlight, medication, and cash. Across Europe, officials have shared the same three-day advice.

Here at home, the Pentagon recently announced a plan called FORTRESS, which would prepare major U.S. military bases to run for up to 90 days without outside power, water, or fuel. That's a plan for the military, not a warning to the public. But when people hear "90 days without power," it's easy to understand why the worry spreads.

FEMA and the FCC will also run a nationwide Emergency Alert System test on November 17 at 11:20 a.m. Pacific, on TV and radio. It's a routine test, and no action is needed.

Add the real blackouts of the past couple of years, like the outage that left about 60 million people in Spain and Portugal without power, and the viral videos claiming a worldwide blackout is coming. It's no wonder people feel uneasy.

Here's the truth: there is no evidence that a worldwide blackout is planned. But the anxiety people feel is very real, and that is worth talking about.

The Real Storm Is the Unknown

As a Clinical Hypnotherapist, I see this every week. Most of the time, what wears people down isn't the event itself. It's the waiting. The "what if." The mind running scenarios at 2 a.m.

This is called anticipatory anxiety. Your nervous system can't always tell the difference between a danger that is happening and one you are only imagining. So it reacts the same way: shallow breathing, tense shoulders, poor sleep, a short temper. You end up living through the crisis over and over in your head, even if it never comes.

Real preparation means getting ready in three ways: mentally, physically, and spiritually.

1. Physically Prepared: Take Care of the Basics

Preparing your home is one of the best cures for worry, because it turns fear into action. A simple 72-hour kit includes:

• Drinking water (about a gallon per person per day)

• Food that doesn't need cooking or a refrigerator

• A flashlight, extra batteries, and a battery or hand-crank radio

• A charged power bank for your phone

• A few days of any medication you take

• Some cash, in case card machines are down

Here in Greater Los Angeles, we already know power can go out during wildfire season, heat waves, and earthquakes. A kit isn't paranoia. It's peace of mind you can store in a closet.

2. Mentally Prepared: Train a Calm Mind

You can't control the power grid. You can train how your mind responds when things feel uncertain.

• Slow your breath. Breathe in for four counts and out for six. A longer exhale tells your body it is safe.

• Ground yourself. Name five things you can see, four you can hear, and three you can touch. It brings you back to now, where the "what if" isn't happening.

• Limit the scroll. Choose one or two trusted news sources and set a time to check them. Endless scrolling feeds the fear.

Hypnotherapy works right here, at the level of the subconscious mind, where fear responses are stored. In a session, we can calm that alarm system and replace "what if" with a steady, practiced sense of "I can handle this." Guided imagery can help you rehearse staying calm, so if the lights ever do go out, your body already knows what to do.

3. Spiritually Prepared: Know What Grounds You

When the outside world goes dark, what keeps your inner light on?

For some, it's prayer or meditation. For others, it's family, community, or simply knowing who they are and what they value. Spiritual readiness means having something inside you that doesn't need electricity to work.

Ask yourself: if everything quieted down for three days, would I feel lost, or would I feel connected? Practices like Reiki and quiet reflection can strengthen that connection now, while things are calm.

Preparedness Is Peace, Not Panic

Being prepared isn't about expecting the worst. It's about trusting yourself no matter what happens. A stocked closet, a calm nervous system, and a grounded spirit work together. When all three are in place, the unknown loses its power over you.

If worry about the future is keeping you up at night, you don't have to carry it alone.

Book a free 30-minute consultation with Chephren Rasika, C.Ht., Clinical Hypnotherapist at Ore'Ha Hypnotherapy. Sessions are available online anywhere and in Greater Los Angeles.

Chephren Rasika, C.Ht.

Clinical Hypnotherapist · Ore'Ha Hypnotherapy

OrehaHypnotherapy.com · 310-893-0947

Hypnotherapy is a complementary practice and is not a substitute for medical or psychological care.