Halloween is almost here, and plenty of people are celebrating the spooky season by marathoning horror movies. However, some individuals may find that it’s harder for them to get a good night’s sleep right after watching a scary film; this likely isn’t a problem you want to have, especially if you’re already struggling with a sleep disorder. Below is a closer look at the impact that horror movies can have on your sleep health, as well as tips that can make it easier to get the quality slumber you need.
How Can Watching a Scary Movie Affect Your Sleep?
A scary movie can end up triggering your fight or flight response, which causes your body to produce adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones can make your heart beat faster, increase your blood pressure, and boost alertness. All of these factors can make it significantly more difficult for you to fall and stay asleep.
On top of that, it’s not uncommon for scary movies to cause nightmares. A particularly frightful dream might cause you to wake up in the middle of the night, thus pulling you out of the sleep cycle. It can be difficult to fall asleep again once you’ve been awakened by a nightmare, and as a result you could end up being deprived of the rest your body needs to stay healthy.
Making It Easier to Sleep After a Scary Movie
If you’re worried about the effect that watching a scary movie could have on the quality of your sleep, try following these tips that can help you enjoy a more restful night:
- Give Yourself an Opportunity to Calm Down: If scary movies fill you with anxiety, it’s a good idea to engage in a few relaxing activities before you go to bed. Meditation, yoga, or some evening tea can all go a long way toward calming the mind and soothing your fight or flight response.
- Watch Something Happier: Once your scary movie is complete, it can help to watch a comedy, a romance film, or anything else that’s light-hearted. This can help chase away any fearful or anxious thoughts that could make it more difficult to fall asleep.
- Watch Behind-the-Scenes Content: One way to make a horror film seem less scary is to take away some of the mystery. Check out any behind-the-scenes content that shows how certain special effects were done or features the actors joking around.
There’s absolutely no need to give up scary movies altogether, but taking the right precautions can help keep the nightmares at bay and make it easier to get the sleep your body needs.
About the Practice
At Star Sleep & Wellness in Denton, our team includes multiple sleep experts who are fully dedicated to helping patients get a good night’s rest. You can count on us to provide personalized solutions for a variety of sleep disorders, including sleep apnea and insomnia. Once we’ve diagnosed the problem via sleep testing, we can help you start exploring your options for treatment. If you think you may have a sleep disorder that requires treatment, you can schedule a consultation at our office by visiting our website or calling (844) 409-4657.