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How to shake off that scary feeling after a horror film
Maybe you've seen a scary movie recently and have carried that haunted feeling out with you when you left the cinema.
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Horror flicks are a fun escape, but what if you can't leave the chills and spooky feeling behind at the movie theater? Just follow this guide to scare them away, and get a good night's sleep. (Shutterstock/-)
I
t's the month of the scariest holiday, and watching a horror flick can be fun as you feel the chills and thrills as you watch the film. But maybe you've seen a scary movie recently and have carried that haunted feeling out with you when you left the cinema.
Here are some tips to shake off that scary feeling, as compiled by tempo.co.
Get some exercise
Seeing a horror film can put you in the "fight or flight" survival mode. So go get some exercise to act it out, such as running, or make it fun getting rid of the tension by going out dancing.
'Just a movie'
Watch the "behind the scenes" for the movie, as this will help you see the real filmmaking process behind the fiction, and help your mind see that it really was "just a movie".
Safety in numbers
Do what makes people feel safe: be with people. Get lots of hugs from your parents, friends, pets or even a stuffed toy or two.
Read also: Joko Anwar spills the beans on ‘Pengabdi Setan’
Turn on the (night) light
It's OK: We've all been there, and light does drive away darkness. If you're still seeing things in the shadows after watching a horror film, just reach out and turn on that (night) light.
Distract your mind
For once, it's best to get busy with distractions. Keep your mind at ease and active to distract it from scary thoughts and images. Watch a comedy, read a book or listen to relaxing music. Not working? See the very first point above.
Just relax
To help you sleep after a horror flick (yes, it's possible), try listening to calming music, or even white noise like waves lapping the shore. (Obviously, not if you watched a horror film set at an ocean, lake or river.) Then, when it's time to sleep, try this relaxation technique: concentrate on your feet, feel them tingling and relax them, then slowly feel your whole body relax until you fall asleep naturally. (liz)
