Dr. Laurie overcomes her fear of death with psychologist Jo's help. They discuss how contemplating mortality can lead to a happier life, motivate us to seek fulfillment, and make us more compassionate towards others. Death doula Alua Arthur shares insights on preparing for death and living authentically.
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Quick takeaways
Reflecting on mortality can lead to kinder behavior and motivate greater fulfillment in life.
Confronting mortality can inspire personal growth, compassion, and mindful living, prompting reflections on regrets and values.
Deep dives
Reflecting on Mortality and Happiness
Embracing the idea of mortality and realizing it is an integral part of life can lead to psychological benefits. Understanding that facing uncertainties, like death, helps in adapting and thriving through tough times. Reflecting on mortality can prompt a shift from passive living to actively scheduling activities that bring value and meaning, promoting a sense of gratitude and connectedness.
Acceptance of Impermanence through Death Awareness
Acknowledging mortality through exercises like death walks and mirror reflections can evoke initial discomfort but ultimately foster acceptance of impermanence. Recognizing signs of decay and aging in oneself and surroundings can instill awe and a sense of interconnectedness, diminishing fear and nurturing a healthier perspective towards mortality.
Exploring Death Cafe and Death Doula Support
Engaging in open conversations about death, as seen in Death Cafe discussions, and seeking support from death doulas can facilitate a deeper understanding and acceptance of mortality. Death doulas provide non-medical care and guidance to individuals navigating the end of life, promoting conversations around values, fears, and preparations for a dignified departure.
Navigating Mortality for Growth and Change
Confronting mortality can inspire personal growth, compassion, and mindful living by prompting reflections on regrets, goals, and values. Choosing to face and acknowledge death, rather than avoid it, can lead to positive changes in perspective, behavior, and the pursuit of fulfilling experiences, harnessing the psychological benefits of accepting the reality of mortality.
Dr Laurie HATES thinking about her own death. It's scary, creepy and morbid, right? Wrong. Thinking about our finite lives can makes us better, happier people. The shadow of death makes us behave more kindly towards others, and can motivate us both to enjoy the little joys of life and seek out greater fulfilment in our careers and in our relationships.
But you need to look death square in the face - and that's not easy for a thanatophobe like Dr Laurie. To help her, she enlists psychologist Jodi Wellman (author of You Only Die Once: How to Make It to the End with No Regrets) and death doula Alua Arthur (author of Briefly Perfectly Human: Making an Authentic Life by Getting Real About the End).