5 Defensive Strategies to Diminish Existential Dread. Source: Photo by Andrew Neel from Pexels Daily life is full of reminders of death (e.g., news about the pandemic, doctor’s visits, and concern about looking old).
Death reminders have the power to trigger fears of powerlessness, loss of control, and meaninglessness. Death threatens all things in life. So, how do most people keep that knowledge hidden most of the time? Article continues after advertisement. How Does the Body Respond to Dangers? The autonomic nervous system is our internal surveillance system, pursuing safety while remaining alert for danger.
The system guides our daily experiences, making sure that we survive in moments of danger and thrive in times of safety. When we receive cues of danger we react, and when we receive cues of safety we relax. The 8 Key Elements of Resilience. Resilience is defined as the psychological capacity to adapt to stressful circumstances and to bounce back from adverse events.
Resilience is considered a process to build resources toward searching for a better future after potentially traumatic events. Some of these resources come from our inherent potential and some from what we learn about how to endure hardship. The ability to bounce back requires being empowered to make decisions that promote personal well-being. And like sobriety, they must be frequently reconfirmed (Southwick & Charney, 2012). article continues after advertisement.
How Do People Manage Death Anxiety?