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I am such a scaredy-cat. Like many people, I have a hard time sitting through horror movies. I’m constantly anxious about when the next jump scare will happen, causing me to watch the entire movie with my hands over my eyes. Then afterward I’m completely paranoid about what could be lurking around me.
Sometimes, just telling yourself “it’s just a movie,” isn’t enough. Psychologists say that the feeling we get after watching a scary movie isn’t fear, it’s anxiety. Kristen Lindgren, a psychologist at the University of Washington, explains that fear and anxiety are two different cognitive beasts that need to be tackled in different ways.
Fear is appropriate. If a tiger runs into the room it’s natural to feel fear. It’s the body’s natural physiological response. Anxiety is when that fear response goes off at a time that isn’t actually dangerous, but it’s seeming or feeling like it’s dangerous. That happens to all of us, and that anxiety is the place that we want to intervene.
(( Kristen Lindgren, Ph.D. ))
If you have trouble dealing with the aftermath of watching horror movies, you’re not alone. Here are some ways to help get over post-horror movie anxiety.
1. Snap Back To Reality
After you first finish watching horror movies, give yourself a pep talk. Tell yourself that you are safe and nothing and no one is coming after you.
Try appreciating the fact that the movie succeeded in doing what it set out to do, which scares you. But tell yourself that now the movie’s over, and you don’t need to be scared anymore. It’s not 2017 anymore, the killer clowns are gone.
2. Watch Behind-The-Scenes Footage Of The Horror Movie
Look up behind-the-scenes videos from the horror movie you’re freaked out about. See how directors and crew created those special effects that looked so real. It can also help show you that the characters you saw were just actors!
The person you saw getting their head chopped off is doing just fine, and the guy who chopped off the head is hanging out in Los Angeles waiting for the next casting call. Seeing the actors for who they are and not their freaky personas can help a ton. Blooper reels for horror movies are especially helpful for laughing off your fears.
3. Watch Something Lighthearted
After watching Us, my friends and I watched Phineas and Ferb for two hours before going to bed. It works. It’s a great way to get your mind off of a horror movie and focus on something happier that won’t haunt your dreams that night.
Watch something that you’ve seen before so there are no surprising scary elements. When in doubt, those nostalgic shows you watched as a kid always work.
4. Distract Yourself With Meaningless Activities
I blame horror movies for fueling my online shopping addiction. Do some random activities that don’t require a lot of effort and brain power.
Online shopping, flipping through a magazine, or playing a silly game on your computer are just a few ideas. When’s a better time to take up a new hobby? Try and mellow out your mind with some mindless fun activities to help get over the intensity of the scary movie.
5. Call A Friend Or Family Member
Do you watch horror movies alone? Big mistake. Try calling someone to distract yourself. Having a relaxed conversation with someone you trust can help in reassuring yourself that you are safe.
They could also give you a pep talk about overcoming your fear. Don’t feel ashamed to talk it out with them! I’ve called my friends and family for dumber reasons, including needing a pep talk to kill a spider in my room.
6. Go See A Friend Or Family Member
Was the phone call not enough? Sometimes, you just have to remove yourself from the place you watched the horror movie. Try visiting a friend or family member for some comfort and distracting conversation. I’m sure they’ve been in your situation before. Also, who doesn’t love a spontaneous slumber party?
7. There’s No Shame In Sleeping With The Lights On
If you still can’t get the horror movie completely out of your mind, just go to sleep with the lights on. There’s no point in laying in a dark room, terrified that something will jump out of your closet at any moment. Put yourself at ease by keeping a bedside lamp on.
Also, try listening to music or having the TV on while you fall asleep, so you aren’t just laying in bed thinking about the horror movie. I recommend falling asleep to The Simpsons, because the only thing scary about The Simpsons is that they have predicted a lot of future events (look up the virus and killer bees episode).
Remember: It’s Not Real
The bottom line of horror movies is that they are fictional. Even if it’s based on a true story, it’s dramatized for entertainment value.
Anxiety is a natural response to watching horror movies, and it will pass. Pretty soon, all those things that terrified you will leave your mind. That is, until you watch another horror movie. If you really can’t get over that post-horror movie anxiety, maybe horror movies aren’t for you. Try romantic comedies instead.
