How to Master Your Fear of Death

Are you afraid of death? Do you think about it a lot, dreading that it will happen one day? Or do you shrug and accept death as inevitable and okay?

I remember having this very philosophical and psychological discussion with family members last year, and it was fascinating how we had such different feelings. Some said that knowing death happens to all of us eventually is a relief and that the idea of immortality is terrifying. Others were astounded by this stance, saying they regularly lose sleep over the thought that they will die one day, and would immediately take an immortality pill if it was offered.

Is this purely a philosophical difference? Does it matter how we feel towards death?

It turns out that how much we fear death can affect how we think and act in daily life. For example, a 2016 study found that fear of death could amplify our desire for revenge and political violence. Palestinian, Israeli, and South Korean participants were prompted to think about personal pain or death, and then asked about their opinions about how specific political conflicts should be resolved. Those who were reminded of death were more likely to support military action than those who only thought about pain.

A recent study found that those who feared death were more likely to have prolonged grief symptoms compared to those who had an accepting attitude toward death.

Fearing death also makes it harder for us to grieve. A recent study found that those who feared death were more likely to have prolonged grief symptoms after losing a loved one compared to those who had an accepting attitude toward death. For healthcare workers who care for dying patients, their own fear of death may get in the way of effectively communicating with patients and their families.

Why do we fear death?

This question seems too obvious. Death—what isn’t there to be afraid of? It’s the ultimate end! So how come some people fear it more than others?

There are some things that may subtly, or not so subtly, affect how much we fear death (or at least how much we’re aware of it.)

1. Older people tend to fear death less

This one may seem counter-intuitive, but this pattern has been found again and again in research studies. We may assume that the older a person is, and the closer they presumably are to death, the more they should be afraid of it. But in fact, older age is usually...

Keep reading on Quick and Dirty Tips