Sometimes, the way our bodies feel can affect how we decide things.

Wahyuni Sapri

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Better Humans

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7 min read

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6 hours ago

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Human nature is a paradoxical blend.

Stability might bore us, but when we face the unknown and unpredictable, fear grips us, making us feel unsafe and vulnerable.

During my childhood, uncertainty was confined to eagerly awaiting grades, the fear of defeat in games, or the sting of potential romantic rejection. These concerns, though weighty then, were comparably manageable.

However, as we grow into adulthood, uncertainty becomes more complex and unsettling. This heightened level of uncertainty brings about a darker shadow and inflicts a deeper, more intense pain.

Even worse, there are people out there dealing with even scarier unknowns, whether it’s because of certain illnesses or the dicey dance between life and death. We might have experienced a similar sensation at the height of the COVID-19 outbreaks in 2020 and 2021

You can find lots of advice, like getting ready for the worst scenario, having a backup plan, seeking more information, and many more. Sure, these pointers help deal with uncertainty, but sometimes they might not fully tackle the heavy stress that sticks around for the long haul.

Why Does Uncertainty Weigh So Heavily On Us?

What I feel is, that it’s the waiting period in between that triggers fear and a sense of vulnerability, making me feel unsafe. This uncomfortable feeling potentially gives rise to physical discomfort like adrenaline rush, warmth, sweat, trembling, butterflies in your stomach, tingling in your hands or feet, and a faster heartbeat.

In the Lipshitz and Strauss study, they found that the distress arising from uncertainty not only leads to discomfort but also has the potential to interfere with one’s ability to focus on other tasks.

Naturally, this adds to our stress, whether due to tasks that can’t be executed optimally or have to be postponed, which only adds to the burden.

Maybe the easiest way to handle uncertainty is by embracing the now. Sadly, our bodies aren’t like magic time machines with a handy on-off…