It’s October, and that means movie and TV selections are packed with horror themes to celebrate Halloween. While many enjoy these films, others don’t care for them. But whether you’re a fan or not, horror movies can have positive and negative effects on your mental health. This genre relies on psychological tricks to create a sense of suspense or danger. Even though your brain recognizes the threats as fictional, your body reacts as if they were real, making your heart race and heightening your sense of peril.
The thrill you feel when watching horror movies can be enjoyable for those who like the sensation of being scared. This feeling can be fun because you already know that frightening scenes are coming and that the situations are unrealistic. Plus, you’re in a safe environment—whether it’s your home, a friend’s house, or the movie theater—where nothing dangerous is actually happening. This combination of controlled fear offers an entertaining way to experience intense emotions without any real risk.
On the bright side, watching horror movies with friends or family can positively impact mental health because it’s a great way to spend time together. Sharing the experience of fear and reactions to scary scenes can create fun and memorable moments. This type of group activity helps strengthen bonds between people as they enjoy the same experience and have something in common to talk about afterward. The benefits of these controlled fear sensations can include stress relief, a rush of adrenaline and excitement, and fostering social connections when enjoyed in good company.
However, watching horror movies could also have negative effects on your mental health. Horror films are designed to provoke certain emotions, such as tension, fear, stress, and surprise. You may notice these effects in your body as your pupils dilate, your heart rate increases and your muscles tense up.
Some people may experience significant anxiety triggered by scary scenes during and after the movie. The frightening images and sounds may linger in the mind, leaving them feeling uneasy and worried. In such cases, the anxiety stems from the fear of being afraid. Those who already suffer from anxiety are more likely to experience negative effects, with thoughts and images that can mentally harm them.
Watching these movies right before going to bed can make it difficult to get a good night’s rest. The frightening images may stay in your mind, causing insomnia or nightmares. Research has shown that lack of sleep or poor-quality sleep can negatively impact how your brain processes emotions the next day.
On the other hand, if you watch too many horror movies, you might become so accustomed to seeing violence that it no longer affects you as much. This is called desensitization, and it can lead to viewing violence as something normal rather than serious. This may impact how you perceive real-life situations and reduce your ability to understand and feel empathy for others.
If you’re going to watch a horror movie, consider the following tips:
- Decide whether you’ll feel comfortable watching the movie.
- Think about the environment where you’ll watch it—whether with the lights on, during the day or night, or with other people at home.
- Check if you’re feeling anxious, sad, or in a bad mood at the moment.
- Ask those watching with you if they’ll actually enjoy the movie or if it might cause them anxiety.
- Remind them that the scenes are staged with actors and are not real life, but don’t force anyone to watch it.
- Try to watch the movie during the daytime so you have the rest of the day to process the scenes in your mind.
- If the movie becomes too scary, pause it. Then decide if you want to finish watching it.
- If the movie causes you anxiety and you can’t stop thinking about the scenes, talk to someone about it. This can help lessen your fear.
Your mental health includes your emotional, psychological, and social well-being, and it is essential for both your overall health and your quality of life. Take the time to decide whether you truly enjoy these kinds of movies or if they have a negative impact on you. It’s important to be aware of how they affect you and to take steps to protect your mental health while enjoying them.
