Cue the doom: Friday the 13th is upon us.
If you’re used to this day being an unlucky one, you’re probably right — but that doesn’t mean it may not also be all in your head.
According to a behavioral health physician, a lot of what we perceive as bad luck comes down to our mindset, and changing the way you approach the day could be the key to making it a lucky one this year.
Paraskavedekatriaphobia: A Fear of Friday the 13th
Friday the 13th has long haunted the cultural imagination. The fear of this date is as deep as its history; there are even two terms to describe the phobia: paraskavedekatriaphobia and friggatriskaidekaphobia, respectively.
Does Believing in Bad Luck Bring It About?
Dr. Anna Costakis, a New York-based behavioral health physician with Northwell Health, thinks so.
"Our mindset is powerful. When we’re told that a full moon causes ‘crazy things’ to happen, we start noticing them because we’re expecting it. The same applies to Friday the 13th," she told The Post.
The Power of Confirmation Bias
Costakis notes that superstitions are rooted in confirmation bias, the human tendency to interpret evidence as confirmation of existing beliefs.
"People interpret things through the lens of what they’re looking for. Going into Friday the 13th, you’re looking for things that have gone wrong as confirmation for what you’re already assuming is going to happen that day, which then only reinforces the negative state of mind that you’re putting out there.
"That moves us towards an anxious and negative place of expecting the negative to happen and looking for the negative to happen as opposed to actively switching that to the positive."
Think Like Taylor Swift
Research on superstitious belief has suggested that people rely on superstitions in stressful situations to gain an illusion of control over outcomes.
While superstition and confirmation bias can easily skew towards the negative and anxious, Costakis maintains that a positive bias can lead to a sunny view and experience of Friday the 13th.
"We are able to change the way we think about something like Friday the 13th by really working that confirmation bias in our favor, believing, ‘This is going to be an awesome day,’” she said.
Approaching the Day with a Positive Lens
Costakis credits Taylor Swift, who turns 35 this Friday the 13th and counts 13 as her favorite number, with rebranding the bad luck. Frequently painting the number 13 on her hand and speaking openly about its role in her success, Swift has influenced her die-hard fan base and a new generation of superstitious folks to view Friday the 13th as a good omen.
"This change in perception highlights how our mindset can skew toward the positive, identifying good things and making the day ‘lucky,’” said Costakis.
What About the History of Unlucky Friday the 13ths?
Historically speaking, Friday the 13th has played host to all manner of ugly, including but not limited to the arrest and subsequent massacre of the Knights Templar in 1307, the bombing of Buckingham Palace in 1940, the murder of New Yorker Kitty Genovese in 1964, and the death of rapper Tupac Shakur in 1996.
Costakis says that these events are coincidental, and our grouping of them is yet another example of negative confirmation bias.
"You could pick any other random day and then look through all of history, across all the decades, and find negative stuff that happened that day too. It’s the lens we’re looking through, and we can find anything to justify it," she noted.
How to Make Friday the 13th Lucky
For those looking to back away from the edge, Costakis has some tips.
"For anyone who has trouble doing the things that they would normally do on Friday the 13th, there are things that may turn their luck around and make them less anxious," she said.
She suggests the easily spooked lean into positive bias and grounding distraction techniques.
"Whatever it is that helps take them out of their head. Go exercise. Go spend time with friends. Do what you need to do to pull yourself away from the swirling thoughts of anxiety."
Conclusion
Friday the 13th may have a reputation for being an unlucky day, but it doesn’t have to be. By recognizing the power of our mindset and the role of confirmation bias, we can choose to approach the day with a positive and optimistic attitude.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is it true that bad things happen on Friday the 13th?
A: While it’s true that some unfortunate events have occurred on this day, it’s also important to recognize that these events are coincidental and not necessarily caused by the date itself.
Q: How can I overcome my fear of Friday the 13th?
A: By recognizing the power of your mindset and the role of confirmation bias, you can choose to approach the day with a positive and optimistic attitude. Try using positive affirmations, grounding distraction techniques, and exposure therapy to help you overcome your fear.
Q: Is it possible to change my perception of Friday the 13th?
A: Absolutely. By changing your mindset and approach to the day, you can rebrand Friday the 13th as a lucky day. Try thinking about the positive aspects of the day and focusing on the good things that can happen.
