Words: Annia Baron

The demented man appears like his old self again, spritelier and more coherent. He requests a pack of Lucky Strike ciga­rettes, those he smoked the same day news of Jimi Hendrix’s death spread around the world.

Bewildered by this sudden change in the old man’s persona, his obliging carer lights one up and pours him a drink. There’s no sign of sundowning and it’s the first time she’s seen him act this way in years, so she calls for his family and friends to join them at the nursing home. The once chair-bound resident with the vacant stare is now sitting by the piano, looking pleased with himself as he hums along to Foxy Lady, smiling at everyone he sees. He talks with his loved ones for hours about his affinity for Cadillacs and Farrah Fawcett, and shares memories about the spectacle of free-spirited music festival attendees he saw at Glastonbury, before happily making his way to bed. Family and friends are astonished by what they’ve witnessed, and with their hearts over­flowing from this cherished experience, they agree to return the following day and savour more precious moments with him.

He dies the next morning.

There’s a phenomenon that occurs in many patients with Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative conditions called terminal lucidity or “the surge”. It’s an un­expected occurrence of energy and clarity for someone, that happens soon before they die. During these episodes, which can last from a few minutes to several hours, the patient appears like a younger version of themselves. It’s as if they’ve swallowed a magical elixir which has fumigated the dementia-infested parts of their brain and suddenly, they have permission to show aspects of themselves that have been hidden for years. Not everyone experienc­es the surge, but whether it’s a noticeable shift in someone’s ability to connect with other people, physically, emotionally or creatively, terminal lucidity is becoming well documented, and I’ve witnessed it first-hand. Scientists are unsure about what causes this phenomenon but there is speculation that terminal lucidity may be the result of the brain suddenly releas­ing suppressed functions or that it goes through a temporary reversal of neurolog­ical pathways right before it shuts down. Whatever the case, if the brain is powerful enough to create such a dramatic shift, despite years of dormancy, imagine the enormity of energetic potential that already resides within your impeccable mass of neurons, grey matter, and cerebral vessels?

What if it was possible for us to access this seed of transformative power, long before our last breath? If you had imme­diate access to the key that unlocks this mind-blowing metamorphosis, how would you use your newfound appreciation for life? Would you continue making the same choices that have led you to who you are now, or would you be enjoying more day’s humming to the tune of your own melody, smiling at everyone that you see?

Think earnestly about the following:

1. What’s holding you back from doing the things that bring you the most joy and the activities that align with the person you want to be?
2. How do you prioritise self-care rituals that enable you to shimmer from the in­side and give you the freedom to spread your loving essence out into the world?
3. What drains your precious energy and how can you cope better when things don’t go your way?

None of us can predict the circumstances we’ll find ourselves in when our time comes to an end, and it’s normal to avoid thinking about that, but perhaps by contemplating your response to these questions, your brain won’t need to sup­press any of its sheer magnificence, and you’ll be well on your way to riding the splendour of a long-lasting surge.

Whether you envisage yourself on the open road, in the driver’s seat of your own Cadillac, or wish to find love with the Charlie’s Angel of your dreams, don’t wait until it’s too late. Make every day a lucid intention to earnestly pursue the experi­ences that drive your brain crazy. It will be the sanest thing you choose to do.

No more suppression. Your surge starts now.

Did you know that for more than thirty years, people told Diana Nyad her dream was impossible. “You’re too old for that”, they would say. At sixty-four years young, and after five attempts, she became the first person to swim from Cuba to Florida (180kms) without a shark tank. Bat­tling immense exhaustion, lacerations from jellyfish, and swelling from the saltwater, a surge of monumen­tal determination carried her to the finishing line.

Annia Baron is a Clinical Psychol­ogist & Mindset Coach. Want to create a life you desire and deserve? Get in touch @anniabaron or visit www.remindyourself.com