How to stop being afraid of death: recommendations. How to get rid of the fear of death: advice from a psychologist

2024 Author: Miguel Ramacey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 06:11

According to worldwide studies, the fear of death is the greatest in 90% of the planet. It is not surprising - for most of us, death is associated with an inevitable end, with the end of life and the transition to a new, incomprehensible and frightening state. In this article, we will talk about whether it is possible to get rid of such a fear in principle, and how to stop being afraid of death.

We sing an ode to life

Imagine spring. Flowering trees, fresh greenery, birds returning from the south. This is the time when even the most gloomy pessimists feel ready for any exploits and submit to the general good mood. Imagine now the end of November. If you do not live in warm regions, then the picture is not the most rosy. Bare trees, puddles and mud, slush, rain and wind. The sun sets early, and at night it is uncomfortable and uncomfortable. It is clear that in such weather the mood is, as they say, lousy - but in any case, we know that autumn will pass, then a snowy winter will come with a bunch of holidays, and then nature will come to life again and we will be genuinely happy and glad to live.

If only things were so easy and understandable with the understanding of life and death! But it was not there. We do not know what happens after death, and the unknown fills us with horror. How to stop being afraid of death? Read this article. You will receive easy-to-follow recommendations that will relieve you of far-fetched fears.

What causes fear?

Before answering the question of how to get rid of the fear of death, let's look at what it comes from.

1. It is human nature to assume the worst. Imagine that a loved one does not come home at the appointed time, and does not pick up the phone and does not answer messages. Nine out of ten people will assume the worst - something bad happened, since he can't even answer the phone.

And when a loved one finally appears and explains that he was busy, and the phone "sat", we throw out a bunch of emotions on him. How could he make us so worried and nervous? Familiar situation? The fact is that people most often assume the worst, then to exhale with relief or accept the inevitable already doomed and prepared. Death is no exception. We don't know what she's bringing, but we're already set for the worst possible outcome.

2. Fear of the unknown. We are afraid of what we do not know. Our brain is to blame, or rather, the way it works. When we repeat the same action day after day, a stable chain of neural connections is built in the brain. For example, you go to work everyday on the same road. One day, for whatever reason, you need to take a different path - and you will experience discomfort, even if the new road is shorter and more convenient. It's not about preference, it's just how our brain works. Death also frightens us for this reason - we did not experience it, we do not know what will happen next, and this word is alien to the brain, it causes rejection. Even people who don't believe in hell feel uncomfortable when they hear about death.

3. Ideas of hell and heaven. If you grew up in a religious family, then you probably have your own opinion about the afterlife. The most common religions today promise heaven to the righteous and hellish torments to those who lead a life that is not pleasing to God. Given the modern realities of life, it is very difficult to be righteous, especially as required by strict religious canons. As a result, every believer understands that, perhaps, after death, he will not see the gates of paradise. And boiling cauldrons are unlikely to inspire enthusiasm to quickly find out what lies beyond the threshold of death.

Don't think about the white monkey

Next, we will share some proven ways to stop being afraid of death and start living. The first step is to accept the fact that you are mortal. This is inevitable, and as they say, no one has ever left here alive. However, fortunately, we do not know when our departure will happen.

It could happen tomorrow, in a month or many decades. Is it worth it to worry in advance about what will happen no one knows when? Do not be afraid of death, simply accepting the fact of its inevitability isthe first answer to the question of how to stop being afraid of death.

Religion is not the answer

It is a common misconception that religion brings comfort to the living and removes the fear of death. Of course, it relieves, but in a completely irrational way. Since no one in the world knows what will happen after the end of life, there are many versions of it. Religious ideas about hell and heaven are also a version, and a popular one, but is it reliable? If you have been honoring your God since childhood (it does not matter what religion you profess), then it is difficult for you to accept the idea that not a single clergyman knows what will happen to you after death. Why? Because no one has yet left here alive and no one has ever returned from there.

Hell in our imagination is depicted as a completely inhospitable place, and therefore death can be frightening for this reason. We are not asking you to give up your faith, but no faith should inspire fear. Therefore, there is another answer to the question of how to stop thinking about death. Let go of the belief that after death you will have an inevitable choice between hell and heaven!

How to stop being afraid of illness and death

Often, people are afraid not so much of death as of what can lead to it - for example, diseases. This is the same senseless fear as the fear of death, but it can be effectively de alt with. As you know, a he althy mind lives in a he althy body, which means that as soon as you feel he althy, irrational fears will leave you. get busysports, but not through "I don't want to", but with pleasure. This may not be such a boring retreat as a favorite pastime - dancing, swimming, cycling. Start to watch what you eat, give up alcohol or smoking. As soon as you feel confident on your feet, with good he alth, you will stop thinking about illness, and therefore about death.

Live the day

There is a saying: "Tomorrow never comes. You wait for the evening, it comes, but it comes now. Went to bed, woke up - now. A new day has come - and again now."

No matter how much you fear the future, in the general sense of the word it will never come - you will always be in the "now" moment. So is it worth it to let your thoughts take you far while you are here and now all the time?

Why not?

Today it is fashionable to make tattoos in the form of life-affirming inscriptions, and young people often choose the Latin expression "carpe diem". Literally, it stands for "Live in the day" or "Live in the moment." Do not let negative thoughts take you out of life - this is the answer to the question of how to stop being afraid of death.

And at the same time remember death

Exploring the life of authentic Indian tribes that live in Latin America, historians were surprised to find that the Indians honor death and remember it every day, almost every minute. However, this is not because of fear of her, but rather because ofdesire to live fully and consciously. What does this mean?

As we said above, thoughts often take us from the moment now into the past or the future. We know about death, we are often afraid of it, but on a subconscious level we do not believe in its reality just for us. That is, it is something that will happen sometime. The Indians, on the contrary, understand for themselves that death can come at any moment, and therefore they live with maximum return right now.

How to get rid of the fear of death? Just remember her. Do not expect with fear, but just keep somewhere in your subconscious that it can come at any time, which means you do not need to put off important things for later. How not to be afraid of death? Pay attention to your family and friends, your hobby, go in for sports, change your hateful job, develop a business that is close to you in spirit. As you go about your life, you will stop thinking about death with fear.

How to stop being afraid of the death of loved ones

Sometimes we worry not so much about ourselves, but about those who are dear to us. Parents are especially familiar with such experiences - as soon as their beloved child lingers on an evening walk or stops answering his mother's calls, the most terrible thoughts come into his head. You can deal with your fear - if you want to, of course.

You can't take care of your child forever, and nothing good comes from your experiences. But you yourself suffer, shaking your nervous system with far-fetched fears.

Accept the fact that things take their course. Be calm, do not worry in vain. And remember what to think aboutbad - the brain's favorite pastime, but not yours.