How to survive blackouts: a practical guide for living and working when there's no electricity

Blackouts have become a part of our daily lives – and the longer the outages last, the clearer it becomes that comfort and safety now depend mainly on preparation.Journalist LIGA.net Kateryna Marchenko has compiled technical advice on useful gadgets, recommendations from psychologists, and also offers several working ideas on how to effectively organize your day during a blackout.Gadgets for blackouts: from power banks to invertersThe minimum set for autonomy includes a simple, durable flashlight powered by AA batteries, a high-capacity power bank (Li-ion is preferred for its price and capacity, Li-pol for safety), camping or LED lighting powered by the power bank, a radio receiver in the FM/SW bands, and stable internet via GPON, which works even during prolonged outages, says LIGA.net Andriy Yavorsky, an associate professor at the Ivano-Frankivsk Technical University and an energy expert.For warmth, the expert recommends effective solutions, including window seals, thermal curtains, filament LED bulbs, and, if necessary, a camping sleeping bag.Read alsoWinter is coming: we'll tell you about must-have items during power outages, Japanese heaters, and "old school"Regarding backup power, Andriy Yavorskyi advises against using outdated schemes with a separate inverter and car battery. Instead, he highlights two optimal options: portable "all-in-one" charging stations for short blackouts, and stationary systems with a hybrid inverter and LiFePO₄ batteries for automatic uninterruptible power supply to the apartment (refrigerator, heating pump, router, lights).It is important to correctly calculate the power and capacity, ensure ventilation, and not connect the stations via a "plug-to-plug" connection.Solar panels on the balcony are becoming a real solution for city apartments: they can recharge a backup system and partially reduce grid consumption if properly positioned (not behind glass). What's worth noting is that the heat retention of different types of housing varies greatly. Panel buildings cool down first.Read alsoHow to equip an apartment for a blackout: about inverters, charging stations, and solar panelsHow blackouts affect the psyche and how to cope with themBlackouts trigger a "danger" signal in the psyche because they destroy predictability, which is what gives us a sense of security. Constant uncertainty is more exhausting than the absence of light itself, so even small things seem like a tragedy. The main thing is not to demand overproductivity from yourself.Short plans (for a day or a light period), "anchors of stability" (a morning ritual), information hygiene, and simple joys – tea by candlelight, a slow dinner, breathing techniques – help, explains psychologist Iryna Shenye. It is important to communicate with children and the elderly calmly and without dramatization.Read alsoHow power outages affect the psyche: why they have such a strong impact and how to protect yourself and your childrenHow to stay productive during blackouts and avoid burnoutLife shouldn't be put on hold during power outages. Time management expert Iryna Ponomar explains that complete certainty is an illusion, and flexibility and realistic expectations reduce stress better than rigid deadlines. A simple system helps: three to-do lists (with power, without power, and universal), planning "two versions of the day," and focusing not on time, but on one's own energy.Read alsoGet everything done: how to plan your day when you're dependent on the power outage scheduleThere are several practical techniques for working in unstable conditions: energy peaks, the 2-minute rule, micro-breaks, and "windows of opportunity." Hobbies, warm contacts, movement, emotional hygiene, and rituals that restore a sense of control also contribute well to resource recovery.Read alsoAfter explosions and shelling: what happens to the psyche and how to help yourself