A somewhat surprising technique for dealing with stress and preventing it from becoming a health hazard has been getting attention this year (2023).
It’s called the Batman effect.
It may seem a bit silly, but fans of the technique say it can work.
It involves asking yourself what Batman would have done in the face of an unexpected and potentially stressful event.
The Gotham City vigilante can be replaced by any fictional or real character you admire.
Using an alter ego allows us to step back from our source of anxiety and analyse it from a new angle.
Do your palms sweat at the thought of giving a presentation in front of your colleagues and manager?
Imagine yourself as invincible as Superman.
Is your heart racing at the thought of responding to that job offer you saw on LinkedIn?
Try to be as determined as Hermione Granger, the heroine of the Harry Potter saga.
It’s important to keep in mind that it’s not about erasing yourself in favour of someone else.
Rather, it’s about getting rid of the limiting beliefs that are holding you back and discovering unsuspected talents.
“It’s not about becoming an actual superhero; it’s about leaning into the qualities you already have, but just need to supercharge,” as professional coach Francesca O’Connor explained to British women’s magazine Stylist.
The Batman effect has been studied for years in psychology and is most famously associated with Professor Dr Ethan Kross.
This American psychologist and neuroscientist has conducted several studies showing the benefits of self-distancing to regulate emotions.
One of them, published in 2020 in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, proved that talking about oneself in the third person singular in one’s stream of thoughts helps combat negativity and boosts one’s self-image.
Dealing with uncertainty
This is exactly what the Batman effect aims to do, by helping those who use it to develop their adaptive intelligence.
Adaptive intelligence is the ability to rapidly change one’s behaviour and thinking patterns in the face of new challenges and obstacles.
And all without panicking.
Adaptive intelligence is very useful in everyday life, especially in the professional world, where we have to wear many different hats to achieve our career goals.
So why not use different alter egos to get the job done?
While the Batman effect can be a very useful way of overcoming stress, it needs to be used only on an occasional basis.
The aim is not to be perpetually slipping into the shoes of a character in order to make decisions without being overwhelmed by stress, but to draw from within oneself the resources needed to do so.
“Some of the most creative minds have used alter egos for centuries to bring out their weirder, more outrageous or more confident side.
“Sasha Fierce is just a bit louder. Sexier [than Beyoncé].
“Ziggy Stardust and David Bowie’s other personas helped a very introverted man express himself to the fullest on stage,” said O’Connor in the same Stylist article.
Both artists ultimately overcame their stage fright and embraced being on stage.
And we’re all capable of something similar – confronting, like them, the situations that scare us and send our stress levels soaring.
By asking yourself what a superhero or any other character would do in your place, you can learn to cope better with moments of uncertainty. – AFP Relaxnews
