It's that time of year again, when grinning pumpkins glow from porches, the air is chilly, and that strange noise was just the wind… right? Yes, it's the season of spookiness!
To get in the mood for this spookiest of times, a lot of people like to curl up, dim the lights, and watch something scary. Some people like quiet suspense, while others like an all-out fright fest. Some like modern day horrors, while others like to see something with a long tradition of scaring people.
No matter what your style of horror is, it seems that people really, really like to be scared.
But have you ever wondered why? After all, the world is a pretty scary place on its own.
Well, it turns out that the reason scary movies — and before movies, scary books and stories — have been such longtime favorites all over the world, is that they're actually good for us. They let us peek into those dark, frightening places while still keeping a safe distance.
It's not just the psychological stuff, but getting spooked has shown to be good for the body, too.
Now, that doesn't mean you have to watch the scariest thing out there if you're not a horror fan. But it does mean that you don't have to shy away from a little thrill now and again. It's good for you!
Read on to learn just how a scary movie will do you good.
Cover Photo: Flickr
How To Watch A Horror Movie If You're Squeamish
If watching something scary isn't normally your cup of tea, don't worry! There are steps you can take to lessen the fright.
- Don’t watch it alone. Grab some friends or family for moral support.
- Have snacks to munch on and blankets to hide behind.
- Have your phone close by. It will remind you of the real world if you find yourself getting uncomfortable.
- Keep the lights on. No one likes being in the dark after a horror movie!
- Read up on the movie you’re about to watch. See what others have said, and see if it sounds like the right choice for you.
- If you really don’t like it, turn it off!
How Horror Movies Can Improve Your Health Spooky Benefit #1: They Give You An Adrenaline Boost
Adrenaline is what makes you jump with a racing heart, but it's also great for giving you a little burst of energy and focus.
It can also inspire a good mood, even if the movie is scary.
Spooky Benefit #2: They Can Burn Up To 200 Calories
If you're tense, your heart is pounding, and your breath is heavy, it means your body is working hard.
That means that you're actually burning off calories — even while just sitting on the couch.
It seems like all those shivers and jumps really add up to something!
Spooky Benefit #3: Your Brain Will Release Dopamine And Serotonin
When you feel a flood of relief when the main character gets away, that's actually a chemical reaction.
Your brain reacts to the emotional roller coasters of horror movies by releasing chemicals like dopamine, serotonin, and glutamate to keep you feeling good.
That's why any thrill — whether it's a scary movie or a literal roller coaster — leaves us feeling good, and maybe even a little loopy.
Spooky Benefit #4: They Relieve Stress
After a stressful day, a horror movie can be weirdly calming. That's because even the scarier parts of it actually have a cathartic effect for us.
While we're meant to identify with the main protagonists, we also can't help but sometimes identify with whatever spooky creature is causing all the mayhem.
It lets us vicariously vent our annoyances, thus calming us down.
Spooky Benefit #5: They Can Boost Your Immune System
Perfect for cold season, horror movies have been shown to boost activity in your white blood cells — the cells that fight off infections.
A study showed that after watching a horror movie, both men and women saw an increase in their white blood cells' activity, booting bacteria and viruses out of the body.
Spooky Benefit #6: They Increase Brain Activity
A major component of horror movies is the element of mystery.
What happened in that haunted mansion? What's really terrorizing the town? And most of all, how are our characters going to ever get out of this?
While we're watching, we're coming up with theories and questions about the plot, and our mind is working to figure out what's going on. This is great exercise for your brain.
Spooky Benefit #7: They Help Us Safely Face Our Fears
We all have something in the real world that scares us, and whatever it is, someone's probably made a horror movie about it.
Movies about scary subjects let us get close to the things that trouble us without putting ourselves in any real danger. And the closer we get, the more we can start to overcome it.
Spooky Benefit #8: They Help Us Solve Real World Problems
After watching some kids beat an interdimensional monster, you might find that facing down a spider in the kitchen seems a little less scary.
Horror movies don't just scare us, but they also show us different ways of problem solving. So when we're faced with a problem in our lives, we might be better equipped at coming up with a solution.
Spooky Benefit #9: They Bring Us Closer To Our Loved Ones
It's just not a horror movie experience without another hand to squeeze. Horror movies strengthen bond between friends, family, and loved ones because you can all get scared together while also supporting one another.
Naturally, horror movies have to be approached with some common sense. Make sure a movie is appropriate if children are around, and anything too stressful or full of jump scares should be avoided by people with cardiac issues or with a history of trauma.
What's your favorite scary movie? What's the one that never ceases to spook you? Or do you prefer to watch something a little happier?
Let us know in the comments, and SHARE with anyone who loves a good fright!
