“We could be wiped out by an asteroid tomorrow, why should I care about finishing this report?”
“What’s the point of life if I’m just going to eventually die?”
“Does any of this even matter?”
Welcome to the world of existential dread, sometimes called existential angst or anxiety.
It comes creeping up for pretty much everyone at some point in their lives.
While these feelings can come up at any time, certain things can trigger them, such as:
- feeling as if you’ve reached a standstill
- life transitions, particularly unwanted ones
- traumatic or life-altering experiences
- a large-scale crisis (yes, this includes pandemics)
- anxiety or depression
- a shift in identity
- the loss of a loved one
Existential thoughts can feel very heavy, but it’s possible to cope with them before they pull you into a crisis. These tips can brighten your outlook.
Get more comfortable with not knowing
You can usually manage unwanted emotions (like worry, fear, or sadness) by accepting them as natural parts of life from time to time. When it comes to existential dread, however, you might have to go a little deeper.
Maybe the fact you can’t answer life’s largest questions doesn’t sit well with you. But to come to terms with that fact, you may have to simply accept that you can’t accept this lack of immediate answers, Dr. Maurice Joseph, a psychologist in Washington, D.C., explains.
Reaffirm your values
Existential dread often involves questioning your purpose in life, especially after a crisis disrupts your personal values or self-identity.
To right yourself, commit to some exploration of your values. What matters most to you? Reconnecting with values can stabilize you and reignite your sense of purpose going forward.
Talk to loved ones
When dark, confusing, and uncertain thoughts come up, try opening up to people you trust. Sharing feelings of existential dread can help you sort through them and relieve the overwhelming pressure to find an answer.
Realizing the ways you strengthen and support others can reaffirm your sense of community and guide your search for meaning.
Keep a journal
Journaling can provide a lot of insight about the complexities of your deepest thoughts, even if you only do it for a few minutes each day.
Meditate
Meditation is a great way to practice sitting with uncomfortable thoughts, since learning to acknowledge these thoughts and then let them go helps increase your sense of control over them.
Take time for lightheartedness
You may not feel like laughing when the world seems bleak or pointless. Your life, your reality, the world you live in: None of these are necessarily permanent.
To distract yourself from distress:
- Find reasons to laugh or smile.
- Do things on a whim, just because you want to (challenge yourself not to find any other reasons).
- Try being more playful and emotionally connected with your children, your partner, or friends.
- Creating more joy in your life won’t make existential dread disappear, but you may notice that the bulk of your worries fade into the background and become much more manageable.
- Talk to a therapist
Checking in with yourself about your goals, your sense of purpose, and your values can help you make sure you’re living your best life. But if you’re unable to distract yourself from overwhelming existential distress without blocking it out entirely, it might be time to reach out to a therapist for support. You can speak to your primary care doctor, too.
Excerpted from “‘What’s the Point?’ How to Deal With Existential Dread” in Healthline. Read the full article online.
Source: Healthline | What’s the Point?’ How to Deal With Existential Dread, https://www.healthline.com/health/existential-dread | © 2024 Healthline Media LLC
