If you are spooked by Friday the 13th, don’t be! This week’s unlucky day is the second of three for 2012. And it would come as no surprise if many among us hold at least some fear of freaky Friday, as we humans tend to be pretty superstitious.

Many superstitions stem from the same human trait that causes us to believe in monsters and ghosts: When our brains can’t explain something, we make stuff up. In fact, a 2010 study found that superstitions can sometimes work, because believing in something can actually improve performance on a task; however, we’ve devised a plan to fight those superstitions by volunteering!

1. Volunteer around black cats: Superstition states that a black cat crossing ones path is a sign of bad luck despite the many people who have good luck and own them or work around them. Defy superstition by volunteering at an animal shelter on September 13. Many shelters usually have at least a few black cats that are ready for adoption, which means there’s a good chance at least one will cross your path at some point while you’re volunteering! Hopefully you’ll see how awesome they are and will adopt one! Check out our friends at  Best Friends Animal Society for a shelter near you!
2. Go out the same door you came in: Supposedly it’s bad luck to go out the same door you came in, so if you’re someone who believes this superstition, think of all the people who go in and out of the same door every day. On September 13, rather than go in one door and go out another, use the same one in order to defy superstition.
3. Clean up your local lake: In the original Friday the 13th (1980), Mrs. Voorhees stalks and murders the teenagers who are preparing Camp Crystal Lake. To fend off any fictitious murderers and silly superstitions, gather your family and volunteer to clean up your local lake or park on this beautiful Friday afternoon!

We hope these three activities will help you ward off any Friday the 13^th superstitions. Comment and tell us what volunteer activities you’ll be doing in honor of Friday the 13^th!