It’s part of human nature to be afraid of the unknown, a feeling every human being experiences almost daily. The fear of the unknown can manifest in several aspects of a person’s life. In dating, after meeting someone special, there is that feeling of uncertainty about whether this person likes you back or not.
After submitting a report or completing a project at work, you immediately start wondering whether your superiors will be pleased with your output. Generally, the fear of the unknown is the tendency to be afraid of something or somebody you have no information about. In today’s post, we’ll explore why humans fear the unknown and how to cope with it.
What Causes Fear of the Unknown?
Several studies have shown that fear of the unknown is mainly triggered by unpredictability and uncertainty. This is why many human beings struggle to maintain a routine that, in turn, creates a comfort zone. If you know you have work in the morning, you’re more likely to plan how you’ll get there, what to bring for lunch and whether you should bring your personal computer.
However, if you didn’t know what you were going to do tomorrow after waking up, you’d probably have an anxious evening and may even experience trouble sleeping. This is the perfect example of the fear of the unknown.
Throughout the evolution process of humankind, the brain has always been hypervigilant. Whenever you walk into a room, your brain analyzes any risk that might lead to danger. If the brain can’t figure out something, it immediately kicks into fight or flight. Therefore, being afraid of the unknown is part of the human consciousness.
Let’s use another example: Would you willingly walk into a dark alley without knowing what lies behind the dumpsters? Or, when hiking, would you follow the path that leads nowhere? Absolutely not! The brain is constantly trying to predict what will happen next. This is why it treats unknowns as potential threats.
Is The Fear of the Unknown the Same for Everyone?
Like all human emotions, the intensity of how much people fear the unknown differs from one person to another. Some people become extremely upset by unforeseen events. Then, there are others who don’t seem fazed by unknowns.
Those who are affected are usually very anxious and experience heightened stress levels in uncertain environments. People who ruminate or try to control unforeseen events may ruminate over every outcome or possibility. The good news is that there are numerous ways to remedy anxiety, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and therapy.
How the Fear of the Unknown Affects People
The fear of the unknown can profoundly affect somebody’s life. By striving for certainty, most people thrive on repetition, ritual, and sameness. This prevents them from exploring different things and engaging in adventurous activities. Fear of the unknown brings together people with the same beliefs and behavior. People with these tendencies create a cocoon that shields them from uncertainty.
To ease the anxiety associated with the fear of the unknown, human beings may tend to “over-control” a situation. For instance, if you don’t know what a loved one is up to, the fear of the unknown may pressure you into calling them frequently. This usually eases the uncertainty in the mind. However, fear of the unknown can sometimes do more harm than good. For instance, if you blow up your crush’s phone with texts and calls, you may push them away.
Practical Remedies for Dealing with Fear of the Unknown
Though scary, life shouldn’t be limited to only what you know. Sometimes, the unknown may hold the keys to a better job, spouse, and life. Also, by not exploring the unknown, one can never really know what they genuinely like.
Several remedies are worth trying if you find your brain terrified of the unknown. The first is to relinquish control over life. You need to accept that not everything is under your control. For instance, you can’t control the weather, the economy, or other people’s decisions.
Focusing on what you have control over will give you a more profound sense of peace and belonging. One can try out new skills or hobbies to break out of the cocoon created by the fear of the unknown. This doesn’t just increase confidence, but it challenges you to explore.
Try making new friends or visiting family members you haven’t seen for a while. Anything that challenges uncertainty is a step in the right direction. Instead of using the same route that you use to go to work, try out a different route. Take the train instead of the bus. The fear of the unknown mustn’t affect your quality of life. If it does, going to counseling can help identify the root cause, which is mainly linked to mental health conditions like anxiety.