Five Ways to Overcome The Fear of Death

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Everyone has that fear of death to some degree, even if it’s not always on their radar. So it would be unusual if you didn’t have at least some trepidation regarding your mortality. 

Sometimes this fear can feel like an overbearing specter that threatens to consume your every thought and movement, but that doesn’t mean you have to let it take over your life. 

Dr. Charles Davenport highlights five ways to overcome your fear of death so you can live the best life possible without that consuming fear of death.

Here is a preview of what Dr. Charles emphasizes:

  • Accept that every living thing dies
  • Love every moment 
  • Accept that nothing last forever
  • Focus on positive things 
  • Remember who is in control 
  • Seek help from a psychologist 

Let’s carefully examine each of these ways to overcome the fear of death. 

  • Accept That Every Living Thing Dies

You first need to accept that death is a part of life and eventually happens to everyone. 

Acknowledging this will make things easier for you because it might seem like less of a tragedy. So, reflect on your life and how you plan on living it. 

Accept that you will die and list things you want to do before that happens. It can be as simple as spending more time with family members or friends. Doing these things will ensure that you are truly living and leave no regrets when the day comes. 

Live like you’re going to die tomorrow. If you knew that you could lose your life at any moment, wouldn’t you want to live in such a meaningful way? 

When we know our mortality, we realize what matters most in our lives. So live every day like it will be your last one on earth. 

Find meaning in everything- work hard and pursue your dreams while they’re still within reach. You don’t know when they’ll disappear forever. So be present and thankful for every moment. 

  • Love Every Moment

It may sound cliche, but the only way to overcome your fear of death is to live a life you love, which takes courage and commitment.  

But, you’ll be more mindful and at peace with what’s happening in your life when you are present in it rather than dwelling on the things that haven’t happened yet. 

Think about how you would like people to remember you if they were going to write a eulogy. Then, make lists of all the things that make life worth living. 

Write down everything you have done right in your life, and create a vision board of everything you want to do. 

Write a letter to yourself from ten years into the future detailing what makes you happy now, and then compare it to where you thought you would be ten years ago.

  • Accept That Nothing Lasts Forever

Fear of death is a natural part of the human condition. We’re all aware we will eventually die, and it terrifies us. 

However, you have to accept that nothing lasts forever, and we can only live in the present. 

Every day you are alive, you should be thankful for another day on earth because you can’t tell if it’s your last. Therefore, you should enjoy life as much as possible without holding back. 

Living in fear of death isn’t going to make anything better. Instead, live life to the fullest and take risks, so you don’t regret not trying later. Face your fears head-on, not hide from them. 

Spend time with friends and family daily because they won’t always be around when you need them most. Remember that death is inevitable, so you might as well try to enjoy yourself while you’re alive.

  • Focus on Positive Things

It’s natural to fear death, and sometimes it can be difficult to stay focused on the good things in life when you know that everything will eventually end. 

But, we have no way of knowing how long our life will last, so we might as well enjoy what time we have. 

This can help you overcome any fear of death that may be holding you back from reaching your full potential. 

Instead of worrying about what could happen, you can start thinking about all the good things life has brought you and how lucky you are to be alive.

  • Seek Help From a psychologist 

You must understand that you can’t win the battle of depression and fear of death alone. Sometimes you have to ask for help, especially when you find yourself always thinking about death.

Expert help from a psychologist in Sarasota when you’re battling this sort of issue can help you get back on the right path and eventually overcome the fear of death. 

Conclusion

The first step toward overcoming this fear is understanding that death is inevitable. It happens to the rich and the poor, and it doesn’t matter whether you’re a cleaner in a mall or a pilot traveling the world.

But, you don’t have to be afraid of it, instead, see it as a new beginning and try to find that inner peace while you still have time here on earth.

You also need to ask for help; the best help you can get is from a medical psychologist. Please reach out to a psychologist if you’re struggling with the fear of death, depression, or feeling suicidal. 

Author: Charles R. Davenport, Psy. D.

Dr. Charles R. Davenport, Licensed Psychologist in Sarasota and Venice, FL Dr. Charles R. Davenport is a highly respected Licensed Psychologist based in Sarasota and Venice, FL. With over two decades of experience, Dr. Davenport specializes in providing comprehensive counseling and therapy services to individuals of all ages. His areas of expertise include career stress, depression, anxiety, communication, and relationship issues. Dr. Davenport has a particular interest in working with gifted and learning-disabled individuals, helping them navigate their unique challenges. Dr. Davenport’s therapeutic approach integrates psychodynamic and interpersonal theories, aiming to facilitate meaningful change and relief for his patients. He has been dedicated to supporting at-risk students in Sarasota since 2000, beginning with his work at Sarasota High School’s Drop-out Prevention Program. Additionally, Dr. Davenport has contributed his expertise to the University of South Florida’s counseling centers in Sarasota and St. Petersburg, FL. For more information about Dr. Davenport’s services, visit Davenport Psychology.