Why You Should Do a 2-Minute Mortality Check-In
AOL.com • • health
Key Points:
- Reflecting briefly on mortality each day can enhance a sense of aliveness and help prioritize what truly matters, according to Dr. Shoshana Ungerleider, founder of the nonprofit End Well.
- A simple two-minute nightly mortality check-in involves asking, “If today were my last, what would I want to have done differently or more of?” to guide intentional living.
- Research shows that reminders of life’s finitude encourage meaning-making, such as investing in relationships and aligning actions with core values, but are most effective when individuals feel stable and supported.
- This practice differs from mindfulness or gratitude journaling by adding a perspective of urgency, deepening appreciation for limited time without dwelling on death.
- Ungerleider suggests a flexible routine—daily, weekly, or monthly—with journaling or mental reflection, and recommends sharing intentions with a trusted person to reinforce commitment and foster meaningful conversations.
