A lot of people who end up attacked and injured say they never saw the attack coming, or that they saw it at the last minute and didn’t know what to do. Many people simply don’t know how to recognize a bad situation even when they are in one, and it’s getting people hurt and sometimes killed. You need to learn how to improve your situational awareness. Constant awareness can be tiring, but it is possible. In fact, it is essential if you hope to last for long.
Know your surroundings. Be aware of what’s happening in them. This means get off your phone. Take your earbuds out of your ears and pay attention to what’s happening. If you simply start using your senses, you will notice more. You will notice people who are noticing you and who might be following you. Look around for potential threats and listen to your instincts.
Know what should be normal for the current situation. If you are in the woods, for example, have the birds and insects all gone quiet? Something else might be there with you. Listen for birds that make predator calls in the distance. You may hear these just before it goes silent. If you are in an urban area, are people approaching you and not making eye contact? Are they making too much eye contact?
Think about what you would have to do in various situations before you get into them. This can help you act faster and better if those scenarios occur. Consider flight or fight, and determine the best course of action for the situation. Never feel bad about getting nervous or not trusting someone. The world’s a messed up place and it’s better to be safe rather than sorry.
Having improved situational awareness is helpful to you no matter where you might happen to live – the city or a rural area.
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