Doctor shares most common regrets terminally-ill patients have on their deathbeds
It goes without saying that nobody really knows what they'll be thinking about when the time to pass away comes around, but doctors may know a thing or two about common regrets from their own professional experience.
Health experts have weighed in on this in the past, with hospice nurses in particular open to sharing what they find in common among people in their final days.
But now, a doctor of internal medicine who has worked with terminally ill patients and witnessed people sharing what they regret most from life, has revealed the five most common things she found.
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Dr. Shoshana Ungerleider has documented what patients are more remorseful about as they approach the end of their lives.
Speaking to CNBC Make It, the medical professional explained: "Being proximate to the end of your life really allows you — pushes you — to be present because that's all you have."
The American doctor is also set to be the host of the upcoming Before We Go podcast, which focuses on how society perceives and approaches the end of life period for loved ones.
Dr. Ungerleider highlighted that the five points she found applies to all of us, and said: "Throughout our lives, this present moment is all we have."
The biggest regrets she heard from patients were:
Not spending more time with loved ones
It's easy for life to take over sometimes, but this is a common regret as heard from several end-of-life medical professionals, so it serves as a message to those that might be putting off a phone call or catch-up with friends or family.
Working too much
Work hard, play hard and all that but maybe work less where you can - several terminally-ill patients regret spending so much time in the office, linking back to the previous point of spending time with people who they love.
Not taking enough risks
"Letting fear control their decisions," were the doctor's words, and it's easy to be scared to do something out of your comfort zone but apparently, it's not worth staying in your shell come the end of your life.
Be more spontaneous, essentially.
Not being more brave
Dr. Ungerleider explained that 'in the face of uncertainty or opportunity', many people regretted not being brave enough to take the leap - this could be job, relationship or life-related, but it's important that you don't miss out on anything because you're too worried or afraid.
Not living in the present
The final point from the doctor concerns those that are 'focusing too much on the future', to the point where you forget to live in the present and appreciate what's going on around you.
We're all guilty of this at one point or another, so it's worth stopping and taking a look around every once in a while.
The doctor's advice
Additionally, Dr, Ungerleider advises people to pay attention to their diet and exercise, encouraging people to think about their mortality at a younger age so that they can live their lives with less regret and more bravery.
She concluded: "Reflecting on our own mortality throughout life, whether you're 20, 50, 80, whatever, allows us to live better every day with more meaning and purpose in our lives."
Topics: Health, Lifestyle, Mental Health
Joshua Nair