Even when a power blackout occurs during the spring or fall seasons, and when there are no problems due to a lack of air conditioning or heat, sensory deprivation will be a danger. Sensory deprivation occurs when humans suffer from a lack of sensory stimulation. Such a condition can help to cause a depressed mood.
A power blackout brings with it a number of problems that can lead to sensory deprivation. Dim, improvised lighting will decrease visibility and thus visual stimulation at night. There will be less travel on roads because of the lack of streetlights and stoplights. Even for those who travel on the roads, shopping will be impossible because businesses will be closed.
A power blackout also can cause its victims to suffer from sensory deprivation because of the lack of accustomed stimulation from:
1. Television.
2. Radio.
3. Computers.
4. Video games.
5. DVDs. or streaming videos
6. ITunes or music CDs.
Power companies usually restore power first in cities, then in the suburbs, and finally in rural areas. People in rural areas can be without power for weeks. Even in the cities, there is no guarantee how quickly power will come back.
There are various ways to provide much needed sensory stimulation to family members. For example, some ideas are:
1. Having home exercise equipment such as a stationary bike for indoors exercise.
2. Looking through family photo albums together.
3. Playing card games or board games as a family.
4. Playing musical instruments and singing together as a family.
Family members should not consider these types of activities as being second best activities compared to the electronic stimulation we have come to expect today. In fact, an upside to a power blackout is the chance to get family members interacting with one another more than they have done for a long time.
Have you ever gone through a power blackout? How did it affect you? What did you do to cope with the power blackout?
