The world is a dangerous place and sometimes there's a need for superheroes. Regrettably, there's no real way to gain super strength or to fly like in the comic books. However, that doesn't mean that someone can't become a real life superhero. Across the world, regular people are donning costumes and creating personas to prevent crime and help their communities.[1] Becoming a real life superhero isn't easy, and you should consider the risks and effort that come with it. Before you can walk the streets protecting others, you need to create a persona and be physically and mentally prepared for the task.
EditSteps
EditCreating Your Persona
- Act with honor and integrity. As a real life superhero, you should aim to set the example for those around you, specifically the youth. You can do this by always remaining respectful, and report crimes when they occur. Being honorable means that you stand for the right thing, regardless of whether it impacts you negatively.[2]
- To prevent people from being scared of you, an outgoing and positive attitude may be best.
- Try to motivate others to live a better life.
- Be brave. Being a real life superhero means that you're taking on a responsibility to your community and the people around you. Bravery truly means that you're willing to put your well-being on the line to keep others safe. That means stepping in and speaking up when you see an injustice or crime committed. Before you intervene, make sure that you contact the police. While putting your life on the line is extreme and not advised, stepping in and stopping an assault or theft are potential things that you could do.
- Be careful not to try to stop crimes completely by yourself, or you may be labeled as a vigilante to authorities.
- Always try to talk to the criminal before taking physical action.
- Think of the cause that you want to fight for. Many real life superheroes fight for a particular cause. Think about what you care about personally, such as protecting people from domestic assault, providing food for the homeless, or keeping your community safe. Do not try to take on serious crimes like assault or murder by yourself. Contact the authorities if a serious crime is taking place.
- Create a costume and name. Many real life superheroes use real protective material like kevlar as part of their costume.[5] Create rough designs for your costume by sketching designs in a pad at first. If you have costume design or tailoring experience, it's possible that you can then create your costume based off your sketches.
- Draw inspiration for your name from things that you've experienced in your life or things that you admire in comic book heroes that you've read about. Try to keep your name on the shorter side and make sure that it's memorable and easy to pronounce.
- Real life superhero names include Captain Ozone, Mr. Xtreme, Master Legend, and Nyx.
- If you're not sure how to create a costume read Make a Superhero Costume.
- Pheonix Jones wears a yellow and black mask with a kevlar vest while he patrols the streets of Seattle, Washington.[6]
EditFighting Crime and Improving People's Lives
- Improve your communication skills. While you may eventually help prevent crimes from taking place, the vast majority of your time will be spent talking to people. You will have to talk to criminals, civilians, and the police. Make sure to practice effective listening and try to understand where people are coming from. Focus fully on the person who is talking and allow them to tell you what is going on from their perspective. Show them that you're paying attention and that you understand. Then make the appropriate move depending on if they are committing a crime.[7]
- Be aware that everyone is different and that someone's intention may not necessarily be nefarious.
- Read people's non-verbal cues, and get a good understanding of what someone looks like when they are upset, nervous, or angry.
- Patrol your neighborhood for suspicious behavior. Patrolling your neighborhood is especially important if it's prone to crime, there is not a regular police presence, or there is a lack of a neighborhood watch. It's important to try to de-escalate any potential altercations or violence that you see, but try not to get directly involved or put yourself or anyone else in danger. Your mere presence should be enough to dissuade people from committing crimes like robberies or car thefts.
- It's best to sit back and wait for the cops to provide backup instead of taking criminals head on.
- The Guardian Shield has been patrolling neighborhoods in Beaverton, Oregon.
- Know the law. Just because something feels wrong in your opinion does not mean that it is necessarily a crime. Understand laws regarding the actions of citizens and against crime. It is essential to avoid breaking the law yourself.[8]
- Give to charity and help the poor. Giving to the less fortunate is a something that many real life superheroes decide to do. Some heroes provide visits and donations to terminally ill patients in hospitals, while others provide food and clothing for the homeless. Find something good to do in your city or town and make sure to give back to the community.
- There's a good chance that your community will be more accepting if you actively give to charity or donate your time as a volunteer.
- Zac Mihajlovic worked for the Make a Wish Foundation and visited young children that were terminally ill.[9]
- Help people who need assistance. Being a real-life superhero may not always entail stopping crime. Sometimes it involves helping people in everyday things. Try to be as helpful as you can when you see that people need help. Don't turn the blind eye when everyone else is.
- Examples of doing a good deed can include giving people directions or helping the elderly across the street.
- Be open and receptive. Keep an eye out for anyone in distress.
- Try to stop crime if it isn't dangerous. There are times where you can potentially stop a crime without putting yourself in danger. Use your own discretion when approaching situations. De-escalate the conflict by carefully listening to both sides of the story and saving judgment on either party. Focus on people's feelings. Allow people to talk it out. Devise a plan that will make both people happy, and ensure that everyone is safe.[10]
- For instance, if you see a bunch of kids illegally smoking cigarettes, you could try to talk to them instead of calling the authorities or turning the blind eye. Try to be productive as you help people, not disruptive or violent.
- Stay mentally healthy. Being a real life superhero can become stressful over time. It's important that you keep yourself mentally healthy so that you're able to help others resolve their problems. In addition to mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and addiction, stress can lead to physical problems like high blood pressure and promotes the formation of artery-clogging deposits.[11] Don't obsess over your new role as a real-life superhero. Take breaks and take nights off. Communicate with close family and friends and do something that makes you relax.
- Practice things like meditation, yoga, tai chi, and deep breathing to reduce your stress.[12]
- If you feel overwhelmed or obsessed over being a real life superhero, consider seeing a therapist or psychologist to discuss your thoughts.
EditGetting in Superhero Shape
- Work on your strength. You'll need strength to look like a superhero and to defend yourself as a last resort. Go to the gym or work with a personal trainer to develop your strength. If you are already athletic or work out regularly, concentrate on developing meaningful strength by doing weight exercises.
- Improve your stamina. Being a real life superhero means that you're going to be actively walking around. This can become difficult if you're wearing a heavy costume while trying to stop crime. Good exercises to increase your stamina include running, jogging, walking, cycling, swimming, and doing circuit exercises.[15]
- Work on your cardio at least three times a week.[16]
- Change the exercises you do so you don't get bored.
- You can combine strength and cardio training when you work out.
- Remember to stay hydrated if you are patrolling the neighborhood.
- Take a martial arts or self-defense class. While you shouldn't actively try looking for fights, learning how to defend yourself in serious situations is probably something that you should learn how to do. Criminals don't want to be caught for their criminal activity, and informing the police of their deeds may cause them to direct their anger towards you. Look for reputable martial arts or self-defense gyms in your area and consider signing up for classes.
- Eat a healthy and balanced diet. If you eat unhealthy foods it will be harder for you to maintain your superhero physique and physicality. Eat foods that are conducive to an active lifestyle like nutrient rich vegetables like red and yellow peppers and dark greens like spinach and kale. Protein is also another important aspect of staying on a healthy diet. Eat things like lean or low-fat cuts of beef or pork, skinless chicken, turkey, and seafood.[19]
EditWarnings
- Some criminals will have no qualms harming you, so be very careful what crimes you deal with.
- Do not break any laws. Being a superhero doesn't mean you are above the law, and you aren't likely to get much public support just for claiming you are a superhero.
- Always report crimes to the proper authorities. Becoming involved in a crime could get you in trouble.
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