Scared To Death (and loving it!)

Haunted houses…scary costumes…horror films…jumping at the tiniest noise… Yes, Halloween has crept up on us. I like the kids’ aspects of it, the fun of it, but not so much the scary parts (lol, it’s all too real to me). Why is it that some people like to be “scared to death”? I had to google it. The last one rather surprised me.

AI came up with five reasons from good sources. First, there can be an adrenaline rush, which can bring on feelings of excitement and pleasure. Second, there is the psychological thrill we get in a controlled environment (i.e. haunted house, scared, but not scared because we know we’ll get out alive) which can help us deal with our fears without any real danger present. This can give us a sense of thrill – yay! We survived! Physically, (thirdly) there is an endorphin and dopamine release in scary situations, and these can cause happiness and euphoria. Then (fourth) there are those people who are looking for some fun, for something different from the daily, humdrum life. A good scare can certainly deliver on this one. The last reason was the one I didn’t expect to see but maybe should have: genetic factors. Fear (and anxiety, BOO, hoo) are entrenched in our genetic makeup. When we are confronted with something frightening, we get to connect with these deep-rooted emotions. Yeah, I am quite happy to go on with the humdrum of life and not connect or embrace any of those emotions, lol.

Halloween. Wear a costume or don’t. Go trick or treating or hand out candy. Attend a party or turn off the lights on your porch and watch your favorite scary movie (or comedy to lighten the mood). Whatever you decide – what out for the boogey man!

AI sources: Psychology Today, California Science Center, University of Southern California, Healthline, Clevelandclinic.org