Good news for people who like scary movies: it’s true that being scared is good for you. And now it’s that time of year again. What better reason could there be to dress up in a scary costume and do some really scary things on Halloween? Oh, I still want to know, “Is fear bad?” Well, we have some scary secrets to tell you. Here are four ways that being afraid is good for your health.
Why Does Fear Make you Healthier?
That’s right. Fear can make us feel uneasy, uncomfortable, and even scared. But is it really bad to be afraid? The facts say no. But why does fear make you healthier? Let’s look at the top 4 reasons why you should be afraid.
Reason No.1: It Gives you a Natural Feel-Good Boost
Stepping out of your comfort zone is when you feel scared but do it anyway. This not only makes you open to new things (hello, personal growth! ), but it also lets you try new things and feel ALIVE.
Think back to all the scary things that happened to you as a child around Halloween. How did it feel to hear a ghost story and wonder if maybe it was true? Remember how you felt. Now think about how much you enjoyed yourself. You might have been telling your friends about it. This gives you a chance to talk to other people about a scary experience, which boosts the social receptors in your brain. Basically, this makes you feel better and makes your brain make more of the chemical that makes you feel good. This makes you feel happier and “charged” for the day (or night) ahead.
But you can use the power of fear to improve your health even when it’s not Halloween. Fear-inducing experiences can make you feel happier, give you more energy, and so much more. People often say that Eleanor Roosevelt, who was First Lady of the United States from 1933 to 1945, said, “Do one thing every day that scares you.” But, even though this is memorable, it is not true. The real quote she said is much deeper:
Reason No. 2: It Boosts your Immune System
Fear might make you feel good, but only after that scary thing happens. But did you also know that it helps your immune system? As long as the fear doesn’t last too long—think jump scares, Halloween fun, or situations that give you a rush of adrenaline—fear can strengthen the immune system. However?
The body’s immune system gets stronger when it’s afraid. Even mental fear, like when you watch a scary movie, makes the body think it’s in danger. In response, the system sends adrenaline to the body, which can boost the immune system in the same way that exercise does. One scientific study even showed that fear can make the body make white blood cells, just like it does to fight off an infection.
Reason No. 3: It lowers your level of Stress
Horror Movie
Do you know that after a hard workout or a big belly laugh, you feel less relaxed? So, fear does the same thing. When we’re scared, our bodies release adrenaline, which speeds up the way our bodies react—our heart rate goes up, we may sweat, etc. Scary!
But once your body realises that there is no danger, it starts to relax from the flight-or-fight response. Your muscles will relax, oxygen will start to flow, your blood will be filled with oxygen, and your brain will start to release chemicals that make you feel good, like endorphins, which will make you feel better. This not only makes you feel good at the moment, but it can also help you feel less stressed in the long run.
Reason No.4: Fear Can Help You Lose Weight
Exercise makes your body stronger and helps you lose weight. Fear can do the same thing. No, this doesn’t mean that binge-watching all the Halloween movies, especially with a big tub of popcorn, will give you the body of your dreams, but it will help.
Studies have shown that when you feel scared, your body speeds up your metabolism. This means that you burn more calories overall. So, being scared can be good for your waistline and your health.
So, scientists said that which movie burned the most calories? This prize goes to… In 90 minutes, I watched The Shining and ate 184 calories.
In a controlled environment, short-term fear can be good for your health. However, long-term fear can lead to generalised anxiety, which is bad for your health. The same is true if you already have a heart condition. In this case, “feel the fear and do it anyway” might not be the best advice.
Low-Risk, Scary Activities You can Try to Get That Fear Adrenaline Boost
If you want to feel the fear and get the benefits of it, all you have to do is get the courage to do it. So, what are some activities that will let you feel fear in a relatively safe setting so you can get the most out of them?
1.Check out that haunted house
This could be a go-and-experience or a do-it-yourself experience, depending on where you are and how COVID works in your area. If you have the chance, you should go to a haunted house so you can be scared by the unexpected. This will make your heart beat faster and get your blood pumping. That’s also fine. Work with your family to decorate each room in a scary way that will make you want to put on witch boots.
2. Join a ghost tour in your town
History, ghost stories, and maybe even one or two devils. Hop on a local ghost tour and see your area like you’ve never seen it before. Every place has its own myths and legends, and learning about them is a great way to learn about history and have scary fun at the same time.
3. Play scary games at night on Halloween
Think back to when you were young. How did you spend your Halloween? Chances are, there were some scary ones along with the ones where you dunked apples in water. Well, Halloween is a great time to reconnect with your inner child. Get together with some friends and play some tried-and-true Halloween games.
