Buzz
There are two types of people in the world: those who are thrilled by the mystery of haunted houses, and those who would rather do anything but step inside one! If you belong to the latter group, entering such entertainment venues might seem impossible, but surely you don’t want to be the only one giving up at the last minute or quitting halfway through. Of course, you can’t casually stroll through a haunted house without feeling any fear, but with a few tips and tricks below, you’ll surely overcome your fear and see the experience through to the end.
Steps
Stay Calm When Entering the Haunted House
Don’t let fear overwhelm you before stepping into the haunted house. Your anxiety before entering, the thoughts of how scared you’ll be, and the terrifying scenes you imagine – these aren’t real; they’re just your assumptions. Instead of scaring yourself before even going in, remind yourself that it’s all staged. Nothing dangerous will happen to you inside the haunted house; you’re completely safe.
- To ease your fear, try doing something fun and relaxing before entering. Go out for a meal, hang out with friends, watch a comedy movie, or enjoy a lighthearted TV show.
- Many people are terrified before entering a haunted house but later find it’s not as bad as they imagined – and they end up having a great experience. Remind yourself that you’ll feel the same way.
Bring at least one friend so you’re not alone. The golden rule of entering a haunted house: never go solo! Going with a group or even just one companion can make you feel much more secure. Invite someone you’re close to so you won’t hesitate to grab their hand and scream.
- Ask your friend to stay close throughout the haunted house journey and let them know you might cling to them when scared.
- If you don’t have anyone to go with, try befriending people in line and joining a friendly group. While it won’t be as comfortable as going with friends, it’s still better than going alone.
Take deep breaths to stay calm inside the haunted house. When fear strikes, your heart races, your skin heats up, and your mind spirals, making you even more anxious! Break this cycle by reminding yourself to breathe deeply as you navigate the haunted house. If you feel your heart pounding or your hands trembling, take a few deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth.
- Try inhaling for 4 seconds, holding your breath for 6 seconds, and exhaling through your mouth for 8 seconds.
- Tell yourself you’re releasing fear and tension with each exhale. No matter what’s lurking around the next corner, you’ll handle it!
Remind yourself that none of this is real—it’s all staged for entertainment—if you start feeling scared. Remember, no matter how terrifying the haunted house seems, nothing is real. The characters are just actors in costumes, and the haunted house is just a regular building. It’s all fake and designed to entertain you.
- Try repeating a mantra in your head to avoid panic, such as, “I’m okay. It’s just pretend.” Say this to yourself whenever you start feeling genuinely scared.
Take pride in facing your fear head-on. You’re doing something that scares you, and that’s amazing! Cheer yourself on before entering the haunted house and whenever fear starts to rise. Try saying, “This is scary, but I’m brave enough to handle it.”
- Keep telling yourself how courageous you are, and you’ll find the strength and courage to push through.
Ask to leave if the fear becomes too overwhelming. It’s okay if you can’t continue. Take deep breaths, try to stay calm, and request to exit. The staff will guide you out, and once you’re outside, you’ll feel much better.
- You can do this if you’re having a panic attack or if the fear is too much to handle.
- There’s no shame in leaving early. Remember, you took the risk, stepped inside, and even if you didn’t make it all the way, that’s still an accomplishment.
Plan something fun to do after leaving the haunted house so you have something to look forward to. If you head straight home after exiting, you might still be haunted by spine-chilling images and feel even more frightened. Instead, do something relaxing to help you move on and focus on something else.
- For example, you could hang out with friends, go out for dinner, or watch a funny TV show.
- If fear starts to rise while you’re inside, think about the fun activities waiting for you afterward. You can say, “It’s okay. It’s almost over. I just need to get through this, and then I can go out for ice cream!”
Avoid Being Scared in the Haunted House
Wear all-black clothing so the actors don’t notice you. If possible, dress like you’re part of the haunted house. Wear dark jeans, a black t-shirt or jacket, and comfortable shoes. This tactic might sound odd, but the all-black outfit will make you look less like a first-timer and less likely to be targeted by the actors.
- In the dark house, your black clothing will also make it harder for the actors to spot you.
Avoid screaming or laughing loudly, as this encourages the actors to scare you. Actors in haunted houses often target people who scream, laugh hysterically, run away, or show fear! To avoid becoming their target, try to stay calm and avoid separating from your group.
- When you start feeling scared, try to suppress your reflexes as much as possible. Instead of jumping back or screaming, try just opening your mouth and taking a small step.
- Take deep breaths and move slowly through the haunted house to keep your reflexes in check.
Stay alert at every corner to avoid surprises. You’re in a haunted house, so be prepared to face a scare at every turn. The scariest part is the unexpected, so mentally prepare yourself. Remind yourself that something might jump out when you turn a corner, but since you’re ready, it won’t startle you as much.
- When something does pop out, release the tension and calm your mind by thinking, “Wow, that was impressive!”
Make eye contact with the actors and stand tall to show you’re not afraid. Appearing calm and composed inside a haunted house isn’t easy, but it’s an effective way to make the actors think you’re fearless. While some actors might see it as a challenge, they usually target those who seem easier to scare rather than those who look them in the eye.
Body Language That Shows Bravery: Do’s and Don’ts:
Don’t: Close your eyes or look at the ground.
Do: Maintain eye contact with the actors to show you’re unafraid.
Don’t: Slouch or cross your arms.
Do: Keep your head high and chest out.
Don’t: Act overly dismissive or indifferent. Actors dislike this and may target you.
Do: React mildly, like a small jump, an open mouth, or saying, “Oh my!”
Don’t: Argue or hit the actors. They’re just doing their job!
Do: Remember you’re not trapped and can leave if it gets too scary.
Do: Rest assured that entertainment haunted houses have cameras and emergency staff ready to assist if something serious happens. These places are closely monitored.
Stand at the front to show you’re not the most timid in the group. Leading the pack creates the impression that you’re unafraid of what’s coming. Haunted house actors know the most easily scared people often hide in the middle or back, so they target those areas and leave the front-runners alone.
- You might even sneak past before the actors notice you.
Choose the Right Haunted House for You
Identify your limits when it comes to types of horror. Everyone reacts differently to various horror themes and scare tactics. Some can’t handle asylum or prison-themed houses but enjoy zombie or monster domains. Others might be fine with gore but can’t stand scenes of body destruction. Some can watch creatures killing but can’t handle human-on-human violence. If you have a fear of clowns, spiders, or bats, avoid places featuring them. If you’re deeply religious or spiritual, steer clear of attractions heavily focused on spirits, rituals, or demonic themes.
- Reflect on how you’ve reacted to different movies and video games. Note which scenes or themes make you nauseous or terrified. This will help you understand your horror limits.
Try to research the scare level of the haunted house. Look through online ads or seasonal publications like haunted house directories. The biggest haunted houses aren’t necessarily the scariest. Don’t judge a haunted house by its name alone. The horror level in a haunted house is similar to a movie’s PG rating. The higher the scare level, the more terrifying the actors and props will be, with blood and eerie atmospheres to frighten visitors. Disney’s haunted houses are considered mild.
Tips
- Remember, no one can force you to do anything you don’t want to do. If you decide not to enter the haunted house, that’s perfectly fine.
- Keep in mind that the figures in the haunted house are just actors. They’re people just like you.
- Don’t worry about anything going wrong. Haunted houses have cameras and staff monitoring everything.
