Dealing With Uncertainty

What do you think would be more stressful?

Knowing something bad is going to happen or the uncertainty that it might happen, but it also might not.

Scientists from the University College in London found it was uncertainty that led to significantly more stress, than actually knowing something unpleasant was going to happen.

In the study, people were told they were getting a mild electric shock while some in the group were told they had a 50% chance it might happen.

Researchers found the people who didn’t know what was going to happen were much more stressed and had the physical markers of more stress.

Their pupils were dilated and they sweated more.

As humans, we like certainty and to know what’s coming.. But that’s not always possible.

The good news is that when faced with uncertainty, the people in this study showed better judgement.

Uncertainty can make you anxious. But what if you approached uncertainty with an attitude of curiosity and with self compassion. This mindset shift can make a big difference.

Remember, it’s normal to struggle during uncertain times.

Your brain likes certainty.

Change and uncertainty triggers our stress response and activates the amygdala. This is the alarm system part of the brain .. which senses danger.

So how can you still thrive during uncertainty and change?

What if you reframed uncertainty as a learning opportunity?

Researchers from Yale University found there’s greater activity in the prefrontal cortex part of the brain when you are dealing with uncertainty.

And during that time, the brain is actually ‘primed’ for learning. This might seem counterintuitive as uncertainty isn't something we crave.

But this research shows uncertainty can be a time when we learn the most and in particular learn the most about ourselves.

When have you learnt about yourself while going through change?

If it’s of value, you can find more resources here Sophie's website or Sophie Scott TV

Take care, Soph x