How to Stop Thinking About Death [Overcoming Thanatophobia]

Thanatophobia or simply called death anxiety is the fear of death. Although we all know that death is inevitable, to some people thinking about death causes extreme anxiety or fear. Some people may fear their own death, while others are afraid of losing a loved one or even their pets. If this fear gets so extreme that it affects someone’s quality of life, or adds to the turbulence of depression, it is called Thanatophobia.

How to stop thinking about death?

Talk to your doctor

If you often fear death and the thoughts last for more than six months, or these feelings affect your quality of life, talk to your doctor. Doctors can identify the type of your phobia. You may be afraid of things that are dangerous to humans, like spiders or snakes. Or you may get anxiety disorders with panic attacks when a person experiences hot flashes or loss of control.

Your doctor can categorize your fear or phobia and can help you overcome it. We strongly encourage getting help from the right person.

Distract yourself

You need to occupy yourself first.The more you think like this, the more inclined you are to process with this attitude. Distracting yourself will help you limit and manage any pressure connected with these thoughts.

You can distract yourself by reading books, watching films, working out or going out for shopping. When you adapt these activities, enjoy every moment. When you will be busy enjoying the moment, you won’t get death anxiety. By developing these hobbies, eventually these thoughts will go away.

Enjoy the small things

Enjoying the small things in life is important for the ones who are fighting against phobias and fears. It’s about changing your lifestyle a bit, focusing on the things you ignore in your daily life. Stop and admire the beauty of the sunset, the sunrise, the colourful bird. Look at the beautiful butterflies and collect the seashells. This is the way of getting your innocence, your happy life back. There is so much in your life that you need to look at, admire and be grateful for.

Therapies & medication

There are anti anxiety medicines available to fight anxiety and panic disorders for a short time. It is not advised to take these medicines for a long time. Getting relief in the long run is possible through therapies. A doctor can help you by providing cognitive behavioural therapy, psychotherapy and/or exposure therapy. Doctors know which therapy will work best for which person, whether exposing them to their fear in the safe environment will help or working through the psychology pattern of a person will help him/her fight his/her fear.

Staying positive

Let’s try to answer the classic question; is your glass half full or half empty?

Your answer will determine your approach towards life. Being positive does not mean that you ignore every problematic situation in your life, being positive means handling the problems positively. For a few days, notice your self-talk. How do you talk to yourself? Stay strong, handle the unpleasant situations positively, and do not be harsh on yourself.

Accepting the reality

Think about the time when you were not present in this world. Were you in any discomfort or pain? No, you don’t even remember where you were, before you came into this world. You have no idea where your soul was staying. Death cannot be avoided, even the best of us are not immunized against it.

Remember that meme in which, Charlie Brown (the cartoon character) says to Snoopy (his dog),

“Someday, we will all die, Snoopy”!

And guess what Snoopy says?

“True, BUT, on all the other days, we will not…!”

We think you will love Snoopy’s answer. Why ruin every day in fear of a thing that will happen on “some-day”. Why not enjoy every day and make life fun to live.

Final Talk

To summarize the whole discussion, we will say, Focus on smaller things, be positive, get help in the form of therapies or medicines. If these thoughts are coming because of some sad event in your life, talk to your friends or family, or get help from your psychiatrist. Sad events are a part of life and cannot be avoided, you just need to live life with them. Be positive when sad events come, be grateful when you get to enjoy life.

Happy Reading!!