Scream away your worries: The mental health benefits of horror

Every year in October, film and television recommendations and releases become filled to the brim with horror. From ghosts to serial killers to zombies, fear is the highlight of the Halloween season. However, if you are someone who suffers from anxiety, it can be understandable if you avoid horror films and TV shows like the plague. However, contrary to popular belief, horror flicks actually have the power to relieve anxiety and help you combat your fears. To understand how you can wield the power of spooky stories, here’s a list of the mental health benefits of watching horror films, compiled via Healthline and Psychology Today. So get in your comfiest pyjamas and grab that tub of popcorn, it’s time for a rush of adrenaline!  

Building resilience

There’s a reason horror scares us the way it does. Usually playing with themes of imminent danger and death, the horror genre actually helps viewers confront their own mortality from the safety of their plush couches, in turn helping audiences become more resilient in the face of mortal danger. “Today, we have what we would call ‘surrogacy theory,’ which essentially says horror films allow us, in a way, to control our fear of death by giving us a surrogate experience,” shared Andrew Scahill, author of The Revolting Child in Horror Cinema.  Horror makes our fight or flight response kick in, allowing us to practice being in survival mode without any real danger present.

Dealing with fear and trauma

If the film or TV show is truly as scary as the claim made by the makers, then it is bound to give your brain and heart quite the workout. According to Psychology Today, the controlled increases in blood pressure each time you get a shock allows for greater flexibility of the arteries, which in turn leads to a healthier heart!