Mid-October 2021
It seems illogical for many of us to get a thrill out of Halloween – watching terrifying movies like Night of the Living Dead, all the Freddy and Chuckie movies, Friday the 13th, etc. but there is actually a science behind why we like it. There is a part of the brain is where we first feel fear –but it is also where we feel positive emotions like happiness. The reaction of the brain is much bigger when we feel threatened, whether is it is truly a possible threat, like an intruder, or a pretend one, like a horror movie. With the former, we react with ‘fight or flight.’ With the latter, our brain lends a hand too. Fortunately, another part of the brain helps our bodies understand the threat and therefore we can determine whether it is real or perceived. Our brain can let us know we are ok during these scary movies.
When we are sitting on our sofas watching The Exorcist, our brain helps us understand that we are in a secure setting and that our experience will be enjoyable. We are not thinking about a project that is due for work or school because our attention is on the terrifying movie and that gives us a break from stress for a couple of hours. If we are watching the horror movie with a friend – whether in the same room or far away with texting every now and then – it further increases our happy emotions while being “scared.” Best of all, we can determine whether or not to continue to be in that situation – we can turn off the movie! We are in charge and that helps us feel even more at ease. If we watch it to the end and we enjoyed it (even if we whispered to ourselves “it’s not real” a thousand times), we feel like we’ve accomplished something. We have overcome fear, however fake and temporary it was.
Others don’t enjoy the experience so much. There are some who may think that the type of danger depicted in the movie is too realistic, or perhaps it’s a trigger for a negative and fearful experience they had in the past. They would not watch a Halloween movie come hell or high water. Some people have a great deal of anxiety and would not want to see such a movie, which is absolutely their right. Never force someone to watch one.
What are the kinds of responses we can have when we are faced with a common fear, such as public speaking, striking up small talk with a stranger, or meeting new people? These examples are universal and these fears can be overcome. The kinds of things we can do for those everyday fears are practicing, being prepared, thinking through how we would handle “worst case,” and engaging in calming exercises beforehand, such as meditation. Challenge yourself to engage in the activities of which you are afraid. Make it your purpose – you job – to do them. The more you practice these fear-inducing activities, the more comfortable you will be doing them. You will find that it usually turns out extremely well – whether you get a good response from someone about your speech or you make a new friend because you began a conversation by complimenting their shoes. You will have positive reinforcements that will encourage you to try again. The band America sang, “But Oz never did give nothing to the Tin Man that he didn’t already have.” You already have the ability to overcome fear, you just need to step into it.
Speaking of Oz… how about those flying monkeys? Maybe cue that one up for Halloween.
