Thanatotherapy is a psychological effect on a person, simulating a calm death. This method was developed by V. Baskakov to facilitate the dying of critically ill patients.
The goals of thanatotherapy
The original purpose of thanatotherapy was to help dying people and their relatives. For severely ill people, exercise helps get rid of the fear of death, accept the course of life as it is, and die peacefully. For relatives, thanatotherapy is a way to cope with the loss and understand that death is not as terrible as it seems.
But in the course of experiments it was revealed that during thanatotherapy the body relaxes so much that biological processes are triggered that contribute to recovery. For those who were not terminally ill, but who had diseases associated with the musculoskeletal system, cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal tract, etc., after thanatotherapy, an improvement in well-being and a retreat of the disease was noted.
Thanatotherapy also helps people cope with emotional tension, anger, stress, fears and resentments.
How is thanatotherapy
A person should be in a state of deep relaxation, including mental relaxation. This state is close to the state of death. For thanatotherapy, the patient takes the shavasana pose from yoga: he lies on his back, hands are palms up, not pressing against the body, legs are shoulder-width apart.
For a while, a person should tighten the muscles of the whole body as much as possible and breathe deeply. After that, he must achieve their complete relaxation. It is recommended to gradually relax, starting with the limbs. Then proceed to the muscles of the trunk and finish with the muscles of the head.
When the body becomes relaxed, it is necessary to bring the mind to a state of complete rest, the patient must lose control over his consciousness. There are several methods for getting rid of the flow of thoughts and helping to stop thinking. One of the simple and effective ones is considered to be aloof observation of one's consciousness. After a while, the flow of thoughts will stop.
When relaxation is obtained, the thanatotherapy specialist performs a series of manipulations. He simultaneously makes several touches on the patient's body, this is done either with the entire surface of the palm or fist, or with just his fingers. For example, a thanatotherapist may take a patient's foot or arm and twist it. All these actions are performed with minimal force, no bodily harm should remain.
The essence of these manipulations is to influence the emotional sphere of a person through his body. When thanatotherapy is over, the person must remain motionless for some time. Then slightly wiggle the tips of your toes and hands. Only then roll over onto your side and take a sitting position.
