Dying - thoughts on the process

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1. Ending of days

The writer was faced with personal immortality sometime around the age of 69. Up until that point there was pride in the fact of going to a doctor and the question initially being asked: "What are you on?" to which the response was: "Nothing." That changed early in 2026 when faced with (1) scoliosis of the spine; (2) hernias; (3) high blood pressure; (4) relationship breakdown and stress; (5) isolation and loneliness. All of these combined, with the imminent onset of 70, meant that for the first time, the writer's own mortality actually came into play. There was no real problem with that - to pass away at any time would have been fine - psychologically and spiritually the writer was prepared for that. However, up until that point there had always been the view that life would extend to 100 years. Strange, but true. Why? It is just a feeling that had existed since around the age of 16. It was also realised that the real problem - the core issue - all of a sudden was the stress involved in the above issues. In many ways it was stress that was driving all the physiological problems, with items #4 and #5 the primary points of origin of items #1 to #3, apart from the natural aging process of course. So what to do?

An interesting podcast by an American physician caused this blog to be written. It listed five items that lead to the early onset of death. They included the following:

1. No resistance training, i.e., no lifting, pushing, carrying heavy things, weight training. Rather, just participating in low energy exercise. This is a normal sign of aging, of the "slowing down" process. However, that is no excuse for the diminution of resistance workouts.
2. Sleeping problems - waking after only 2-3 hours of sleep, and then going back to sleep; regular interruptions and the numerous negative effects this has on the body. The solutions include things like regularity in going to bed; no food 2-3 hours prior; no screens; darkness and stillness; and minimizing stress.
3. Chronic psychological stress, extending over an extensive period of time. This can be minimized with activities such as daily nasal breathing; early morning sunlight; resting during the day.
4. Lack of stimulating daily activity. This can be dealt with through the seeking of regular intellectual challengers, veracious reading, playing a musical instrument, carrying out research, and pursuit of novelty.
5. Years of carrying unresolved emotional pain. This is a big one, and not easily addressed. First, one has to recognize the problem.

Patients who decline fastest, Dr. Mitch Rice, 18 May 2026, YouTube, duration: 12.23 minutes.

The writer, at the time, ticked all of these boxes. Is that normal? In some ways it could be said that it comes with aging. However, it can also be said that all of these can be minimize, if not negated, so that the centenarian goal can be reached. For example, the writer noted that when he visited family, the tendency was to sleep 7-8 hours uninterrupted, as opposed to the interrupted sleep experienced when isolated from them. As a result, action needed to be taken .......

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References

Holt-Lunstad, Julianne, Timothy B. Smith, Mark Baker, Tyler Harris and David Stephenson, Loneliness and social isolation as a risk factor for mortality: a meta-analytic review, Perspectives on Psychological Science: A Journal of the Society of Psychological Science, 10(2), March 2015, 227-237.

Abstract: Actual and perceived social isolation are both associated with increased risk for early mortality. In this meta-analytic review, our objective is to establish the overall and relative magnitude of social isolation and loneliness and to examine possible moderators. We conducted a literature search of studies (January 1980 to February 2014) using MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Social Work Abstracts, and Google Scholar. The included studies provided quantitative data on mortality as affected by loneliness, social isolation, or living alone. Across studies in which several possible confounds were statistically controlled for, the weighted average effect sizes were as follows: social isolation odds ratio (OR) = 1.29, loneliness OR = 1.26, and living alone OR = 1.32, corresponding to an average of 29%, 26%, and 32% increased likelihood of mortality, respectively. We found no differences between measures of objective and subjective social isolation. Results remain consistent across gender, length of follow-up, and world region, but initial health status has an influence on the findings. Results also differ across participant age, with social deficits being more predictive of death in samples with an average age younger than 65 years. Overall, the influence of both objective and subjective social isolation on risk for mortality is comparable with well-established risk factors for mortality.

Titova, Olga E., John A. Baron, Karl Michaelsson and Susanna C. Larsson, Anger frequency and risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, European Heart Journal - Open, 6:2(4), August 2022.

Abstract: Aims: Anger may increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) but previous findings are inconclusive and large prospective studies are needed. We investigated whether frequency of strong anger is associated with the incidence of specific CVDs and CVD mortality, and if sex, age, and cardiometabolic risk factors modify these associations. Methods and results: We used data from a population-based cohort of 47 077 Swedish adults (56-94 years of age) who completed questionnaires regarding their experience of anger, lifestyle habits, and health characteristics. Participants were followed for incident cardiovascular outcomes and death up to 9 years through linkage to the Swedish National Patient and Death Registers. Hazard ratios and confidence intervals adjusted for potential confounders were assessed.In multivariable analyses, frequent episodes of strong anger were associated with an increased risk of heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and CVD mortality [hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) = 1.19 (1.04-1.37), 1.16 (1.06-1.28), and 1.23 (1.09-1.40), respectively]. The link between anger frequency and heart failure was more pronounced in men and participants with a history of diabetes. No evidence of an independent association of anger frequency with risk of myocardial infarction, aortic valve stenosis, and abdominal aortic aneurysm was found. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that anger may contribute to the development of specific CVDs and CVD mortality, especially heart failure in men and in those with diabetes.

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Michael Organ & family: A9X | Dying | Film | Health | Keith Organ interview 1998 | LPs / Records | Music | Parliament 2002-2004 | Poems & Songs | Posters | Roma Organ @ St Mary's (Interview 2019) / Interview 1998 / In Memorium | Terry Organ | Uncle Jack Crutchley WWII | Uncle Jack Speirs WWI | Uncle Sonny WWI | Will |  

Last updated: 19 June 2026

Michael Organ, Australia