Let’s talk about the ‘D’ word
Let's talk about the 'D' word.
Death.
What every one of us will face and what few of us like to think or talk about. Some of us might even believe that thinking about death and dying is morose and depressing.
While spiritual traditions, including Islam and Buddhism have advocated reflecting on the temporary nature of life in this existence as a path to virtue and salvation/bliss, it is fairly recently that secular psychologists have affirmed the benefits of thinking about death.
Kenneth Vail of the University of Missouri, headed a study about 'death awareness' and said, "There has been very little integrative understanding of how subtle, day-to-day, death awareness might be capable of motivating attitudes and behaviors that can minimize harm to oneself and others, and can promote well-being."
Vall specifically mentions three ways consciousness of death can improve our lives:
1) Thinking about death helps us prioritize our goals and get in touch with what we truly value
2) Just passing by or near a cemetery increases the amount of help that people are willing to offer strangers
3) When reminded of death people may opt for better health choices, such as using more sunscreen, smoking less, or increasing levels of exercise
So go ahead, think and talk about the 'D' word.
It can only improve your life.
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