How to stop fearing death: recommendations. How to get rid of the fear of death: advice of a psychologist

According to worldwide studies, the fear of death is the largest in 90% of the planet. It is not surprising - death is associated for most of us with the 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 fear in principle, and how to stop being afraid of death.

We sing the ode of life

Imagine the spring. Flowering trees, fresh greens, birds returning from the south. This is the time when even the most gloomy pessimists feel ready for any feats and obey the general good mood. Imagine now the end of November. If you do not live in warm areas, then the picture is drawn not the most rosy. Bare trees, puddles and mud, slush, rain and wind. The sun sets early, and at night uncomfortable and uncomfortable. It's clear that in such weather the mood is, as it's called, prepolitical - 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 happy about life.

If it were so easy and understandable with an understanding of life and death! But it was not there. We do not know what happens after death, and the unknown gives us terror. How to stop being afraid of death? Read this article. You will get easy-to-follow recommendations that will save you from far-fetched fears.

What is the cause of fear?

Before answering the question of how to get rid of the fear of death, we will analyze from what it occurs.

1. It is peculiar for a person to assume the worst . Imagine that a close person does not come home at the right time, but does not pick up the phone and does not answer the messages. Nine people out of ten will assume the worst - something bad has happened, since he can not even answer the call. And when a close person finally appears and explains that he was busy, and the phone "sat down", we splash out a bunch of emotions on him. How could he make us so nervous and worried? Common situation? The fact is that people often assume the worst, then to breathe out with relief or to accept the inevitable already doomed and prepared. Death is no exception. We do not know what she is carrying, but are already set for the worst outcome.

2. Fear of suspense. We are frightened by what we do not know. This is our fault, or rather, how 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 every day the same way. Once you need for some reason to go the other way - and you will experience discomfort, even if the new road is shorter and more convenient. It's not a preference, it's just the device of our brain. 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 provokes rejection. Even people who do not believe in hell are uncomfortable when they hear about death.

3. Representations of hell and heaven. If you grew up in a religious family, then for sure you have your opinion about the structure of the afterlife. The most common religions today promise paradise to the righteous and infernal torment to those who lead a life that is unfit for God. Given the current realities of life, it is very difficult to be righteous, especially as strict religious canons dictate. As a result, every believer understands that, perhaps, after death, he will not see the gates of paradise. And boiling boilers hardly cause enthusiasm to quickly find out what is hidden behind the threshold of death.

Do not think about the white monkey

Next, we'll talk about several 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 else left here alive. However, fortunately, we do not know when our departure will happen.

It can happen tomorrow, in a month or many decades. Is it worth it to worry about what will happen when? Do not be afraid of death, simply accepting the fact of its inevitability is the first answer to the question of how to stop being afraid of death.

Religion is not the answer

A common misconception is the idea that religion gives consolation to the living and relieves the fear of death. Of course, it does, but in a completely irrational way. Since no one in the world knows what will happen after the end of life, then there are many versions. Religious ideas about hell and paradise are also a version, and popular, but reliable? If you have been honoring your God since childhood (it does not matter which religion you profess), then it's hard for you to accept the idea that no priest knows what will happen to you after death. Why? Because no one has left alive yet, and no one else has returned from there.

Hell in our imagination is drawn by a completely unfriendly place, and therefore death can frighten and for this reason. We do not encourage 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. Refuse the belief that after death you are faced with the inevitable choice between hell and paradise!

How to stop being afraid of disease and death

Often people are afraid not so much of death as of what can lead to it - for example, illness. This is the same senseless fear, like the horror of death, but it can be effectively combated. As you know, a healthy spirit dwells in a healthy body, which means that as soon as you feel healthy, irrational fears will leave you. Go in for sports, but not through "I do not want", but with pleasure. This may not be a boring wait-and-see, but a favorite pastime - dancing, swimming, cycling. Start to monitor what you eat, give up alcohol or smoke. As soon as you feel confident standing on your feet, with good health, you stop thinking about diseases, and therefore, about death.

Live during the day

There is such a saying: "Tomorrow never comes, waiting for the evening, it comes, but now it's coming." He went to sleep, woke up, now. A new day has come, and again now. "

However you are afraid of the future, in the general sense of the word it will never come - you will always be in the moment "now". So is it worth letting your thoughts take you far, while you are all the time here and now?

Why not?

It is now fashionable to make tattoos in the form of life-affirming inscriptions, and young people often choose the Latin expression "carpe diem". Literally, it is decoded "Live by day" or "Live 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 who live in Latin America, historians were surprised to find that the Indians honor death and remember it daily, almost every minute. However, this is not because of fear of it, but rather because of the desire to live fully and consciously. What does it mean?

As we said above, thoughts often take us away from now to 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 for us. That is, it is something that will happen sometime. Indians, on the contrary, understand for themselves that death can come at any time, and therefore live with maximum impact right now.

How to get rid of the fear of death? Just remember about it. Do not expect with fear, but just keep somewhere on the subconscious that it can come at any time, which means you do not need to postpone important matters for later. How not to fear death? Pay attention to family and friends, your hobby, go in for sports, change the shameful work, develop a business close to you in spirit. Engaging in your life, you stop thinking about death with fear.

How to stop fearing the death of loved ones

Sometimes we worry not so much about ourselves, as about those who care about us. Especially familiar are such experiences to parents - it is necessary for a loved one to linger on an evening walk or stop answering mom's calls, and the most terrible thoughts come to mind. You can cope with your fear - if you want, of course.

You will not be able to patronize your child forever, besides, nothing good happens from your experiences. But you suffer yourself, shaking your nervous system with far-fetched fears.

Accept the fact that things go their way. Be calm, do not worry in vain. And remember that thinking about bad is a favorite activity of the brain, but not yours.