How to fall asleep after watching a horror movie

There are times when, after watching a horror film, we find ourselves feeling frightened and unable to sleep. If the movie lingers in your mind, confront your fear by acknowledging it and talking about it. Think logically and find ways to overcome it. You can also distract yourself by watching or reading something interesting, engaging in an activity that requires focus and calm, which helps take your mind off the fear. Additionally, making yourself and your environment more comfortable can aid in falling asleep more easily.

Recognizing the fear. After watching a horror movie, you might become anxious about ghosts, zombies, serial killers, vampires, and many other terrifying things. Think about what specifically scares you and acknowledge it. Becoming aware of your fear can help you deal with the haunting thoughts more logically... but sometimes it may actually intensify the fear (this method doesn't work for everyone).

• For example, you might fear being haunted or worry that an intruder might break into your home.

Talk about your fear. You will feel better after talking to someone about your obsession. Reach out to siblings, parents, or friends via phone or text. Choose someone who can empathize with you and is willing to listen, allowing you to express your worries openly.

• For example, you can go to your sibling's room and say, 'I just watched the movie Saw IV and I'm scared I might be tortured.' They might reassure you and help you realize you're not actually in danger.

Think more realistically about what you fear. Remind yourself how safe you felt before watching the film. Tell yourself that it was just a movie, not real life, and that the filmmakers created it to frighten you. Hundreds of people worked hard, and millions of dollars were spent on costumes, makeup, and special effects to create a horror film. Consider how likely your fear is to become reality and use logical thinking to analyze it.

• While the events in the film might seem plausible and terrifying, the truth is that zombies won't overrun your neighborhood. Similarly, no monster is coming to kidnap you.

Confront the fear. The best way to overcome your fear is to face it. If you're in a situation that scares you, move forward and bravely confront it. If you're not in that situation, try to imagine what it would be like if you were. No matter how frightened you feel, take deep breaths and reassure yourself that you're okay.

• If you're afraid of the dark, turn off all the lights after watching a scary movie. Try sitting in the darkness for a few minutes before turning the lights back on and realizing that nothing harmful is happening.
• Or, if you're afraid of spiders after watching a horror film about them, look at spider pictures online. Remind yourself that while they may look scary, they can't grow huge and take over your neighborhood.

Watch the bloopers. Watching outtakes or behind-the-scenes footage of the movie can reinforce the idea that it’s all just fiction. Seeing the staged scenes and characters in their normal form will help push your fear away. The scenes that were cut due to mistakes, funny moments, or other issues can show you that there's nothing to be afraid of.

• You can also check out bonus scenes from the film, such as interviews with the cast, short clips about the filmmaking process, costume preparation, and how makeup was applied to make characters look scary.
• If there’s no DVD with these bonus features, you can look for them on YouTube or similar sites.

Watch something funny. After finishing a horror movie, try watching a comedy or an episode of a funny show you enjoy. Focusing on something other than the horror film can help chase away your fear. Laughter can also improve your mood, and you'll feel better.

• Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure, Napoleon Dynamite, Hot Chicks, Even Stevens, and SpongeBob SquarePants are all hilarious movies to check out.
• Watch funny animal videos. Your fear will fade away as you watch cute animals doing amusing things.

Browse the web. Turn off the movie and scroll through social media. You can also watch funny videos online or visit your favorite shopping sites. When you start thinking about something other than the horror film, you'll calm down, and your obsession will vanish from your mind.

• Read a mantra.
• Check out 'Grumpy Cat' videos on YouTube, that cat is hilarious.
• Visit a friend's profile or pictures online and chat with them.

Read a book. Choose a book that won't scare you—this is not the time for reading Stephen King's horror novels. Opt for something positive, interesting, or relaxing. You can also read magazines or comics.

• Funny books include The Adventures of Lang Biang, Life Is Basically Funny, Coffee with Tony, and The Princess Diaries.

Listen to music. Pick an album or artist you love and turn up the volume. While listening, you can sing, dance, or even clean your room. Music is a great way to change your mood and distract you, as people often associate certain songs or artists with happy memories.

• For example, when listening to a playlist by Sơn Tùng MTP, you'll remember the concert you went to with your friends. Focusing on how much fun you had will help you forget the horror movie.

Try a calming activity. Meditation, yoga, counting, a bath, muscle relaxation, or simply deep breathing. These activities will slow your heart rate and help you calm down. By fully concentrating on a calming activity, you'll forget about the horror movie.

Choose an activity that requires focus. Spend your time on a crossword puzzle or Sudoku. Work on a school project, organize your DVD collection, or play a game on your phone. Channeling your energy into other activities instead of fear will help you feel better.

Ask someone to sleep in your room. If you're really scared, you might feel more comfortable with someone sleeping in your room. Call a friend, sibling, or parent and ask if they can come sleep in your room, or if you can join them. Sleeping with someone else will help you feel safer and distracted from your fear.

• If you have a dog, consider letting it sleep in your room (as long as it doesn’t make it hard for you to sleep).

Open or close doors in the house. Some people feel safer when all the doors are closed, while others prefer to leave the doors inside the house wide open. Adjust the doors in your house to make yourself feel most comfortable. Just make sure you don't forget to lock all the main doors and windows.

Leave the lights on. If you're afraid of the dark or worried about scary things invading your space, keeping the lights on can make you feel more secure. Turn on a ceiling light, a bathroom light, a desk lamp, or a nightlight in your room. You can also turn on the TV and mute the sound to provide a soft glow in your environment.

Get comfortable. When you're relaxed and at ease, you'll fall asleep more easily. You can wear loose pajamas, fluff your pillow, and snuggle into the sheets and blanket. Adjust the thermostat or turn on a fan/heater to make sure your body is at the most comfortable temperature.

• If you have a favorite stuffed animal or blanket, bring them to bed with you.