It’s that time of the year for ghouls and goblins! Even if you’re no longer a kid looking forward to a night of trick-or-treating, it’s hard to resist the appeal of a holiday where it’s fun to be a little bit scared.
It turns out, however, that being scared is more than just fun—it might also be healthy for you.
Now, bear in mind that this refers to short-term fear, the kind you get from watching a scary movie or going on a haunted hayride. Long-term stress and anxiety about real-world threats can take a negative toll on your health, resulting in such problems as fatigue, high blood pressure, and panic attacks.
But thrill-seekers looking for a little excitement can expect a small boost to their blood flow and even some psychological benefits. As it turns out, fear triggers the region of your brain known as the hypothalamus, which sends signals to the nervous system. This sets off several bodily responses similar to exercise: increased heart rate, increased oxygen consumption, and a redirection of blood to major muscle groups. In other words, you get an adrenaline rush.
This adrenaline rush is your body’s natural way of providing you with the stamina you need to fend off a threat. In many cases, all of this happens faster than your brain can even process what’s happening. That’s why when you encounter “jump scares,” such as when you hear a loud noise or an unexpected figure pops up out of hiding, you involuntarily feel this way even though you’re not facing anything dangerous or all that scary.
For most people, this rush can actually make your heart stronger and improve the efficiency with which your blood carries oxygen to your cells; however, for people with heart conditions, it might be dangerous, potentially even causing a heart attack or heart failure. (Because of this, scary movies might be physically unhealthy for people with heart problems.)
There’s also a psychological benefit to getting scared for fun. Learning to face fears, even harmless ones like costumed performers jumping out of a cornfield, can increase your feelings of confidence. You feel braver for having coped with a scary experience, and that bravery transfers over to real life. You now feel better about taking risks or putting yourself in uncomfortable situations, such as speaking in front of a large crowd.
So, if you get invited to watch a horror movie this Halloween—go for it! After all, it’s good for you.
