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Friday the 13th has arrived. For some, the day can make them feel uneasy. A psychologist offers tips on how to separate the superstition from reality.
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CLEVELAND - Today is Friday, but not everyone is celebrating the end of the workweek this time around.
That’s because of the fear surrounding Friday the 13th.
“Superstitions have the power to change our thoughts and behaviors. Studies have shown that on Friday the 13th, people tend to avoid travel, stay at home and delay important decisions,” said Susan Albers, PsyD, a psychologist at Cleveland Clinic.
According to Dr. Albers, people are uneasy about this day because history, culture and media have all linked it to bad luck.
Because of this, we may blame any misfortune that follows on the superstition, which only reinforces it.
Dr. Albers warns that expecting a bad day just because it’s Friday the 13th can make it more likely to happen.
With this in mind, the best approach is to stick to your normal routine and treat it like any other.
If you do start feeling overwhelmed on Friday the 13th, it’s important to find ways to de-stress.
“Superstitions are the loudest when we feel stressed,” Dr. Albers said. “Simple things like good nutrition, proper sleep, movement and getting outside can all help to calm the nervous system and make you feel better on days your brain is sounding the alarm.”
On the flipside, Dr. Albers said that some superstitions can be positive.
For example, knocking on wood can give us reassurance that things will go our way and even boost our mood.
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