How To Cope During Spooky Season
How to Cope During Spooky Season
Feeling spooked by Halloween season? You’re definitely not alone! While many dive into fall festivities, others feel a wave of nerves or even anxiety. It’s totally normal to feel this way, and there are plenty of helpful tips and tricks to make this season easier to handle.
What are the Halloween Scaries?
Anxiety is our body’s natural response to stress or fear, setting off the well-known “fight or flight” reaction—a built-in protective system that helps keep us safe. For some though, Halloween doesn’t bring excitement but rather feelings of dread. While haunted houses, horror movies, and spooky decor make the average person excited, those with anxiety, phobias, and past traumas tend to start having nightmares pretty quickly. These kinds of triggers can make these “fun” events anything but enjoyable. What’s meant to be thrilling can quickly turn into a month-long stress marathon.
What causes Halloween jitters?
Below are common fears some people may experience around the Halloween season:
For those with anxiety, Halloween’s spooky themes—like decorations, movies, and costumes—can be triggering. People with a heightened sensitivity to scary imagery or past trauma linked to fear might experience flashbacks, nightmares, or spikes in anxiety.
Some people have a natural fear of the dark, known as nyctophobia, which can become more intense around Halloween. Seasonal activities like haunted houses, trick-or-treating, or spooky-themed parties often take place in dark settings, which can lead to uncomfortable, anxiety-triggering situations for those with this fear.
The fear of the unknown also known as xenophobia is another reason for increased stress. Halloween often focuses on mystery and the unknown which can leave some feeling unsettled.
The pressure to join in on Halloween festivities—like crafting the perfect costume, visiting haunted houses, or attending parties—can feel daunting, especially for those with social anxiety. The push to socialize can be overwhelming and may even lead to worries about how others perceive them.
Halloween’s trick or treating culture emphasizes enjoying sweets and treats that may cause stress for those who struggle with body image and disordered eating.
Thinking about Halloween can bring up uncomfortable childhood memories, especially if someone was frightened or embarrassed in past experiences.
How to make Spooky Season Less Gruesome
How to cope with Halloween-related anxiety can be addressed in many ways, and it is essential to find a strategy that works best for you. Here’s a few suggestions:
Self Care: Focus on your mental wellbeing by engaging in self-care activities that bring you joy. This includes activities such as meditation, nature walks, cozy reading sessions, journaling or sketching outdoors, baking seasonal treats, attending a local farmer’s market, or trying a new fall recipe. Along with that, having a healthy sleep routine, eating well and staying hydrated can improve your overall mood and anxiety.
Set boundaries: It’s okay to say no! Decide ahead of time which activities you’re comfortable with. If there are certain activities that trigger or increase your anxiety, it’s okay to skip and opt for a low key Halloween movie night instead. Prioritize attending Halloween activities you feel comfortable with. You can even limit the amount of time you spend at gatherings. Remember, there’s no “right” way to celebrate Halloween.
Use your Support Network: It may be helpful to discuss your anxiety with trusted friends, family or a therapist. Expressing these feelings openly can allow for those around you to help you navigate this stressful time of year which in turn can help you better cope with the Halloween related stress.
Limit Exposure to Social Media or Triggers: If you find that you have increased anxiety seeing posts about Halloween, consider taking a social media break, mute related content or limit yourself from doom scrolling.
Be Kind to Yourself & Practice Self Compassion: Remind yourself that it is okay to have feelings of anxiety. It is also important to remind yourself you are able to effectively manage your anxiety. Be kind to yourself. Planning ahead and not overcommitting to things you don’t want to do can easily maintain your stress levels. Remember, it is all about finding what’s best for YOU to make sure your Halloween season is enjoyable, no matter how you celebrate.
Final Takeaways
Recognizing your feelings of anxiety is a constructive first step in managing them, and it’s completely normal to experience these emotions. Anxiety is a natural human response, and there’s no need to feel isolated or ashamed. It’s also perfectly fine if your feelings about Halloween differ from those around you. What matters most is not suppressing or ignoring these emotions but accepting them as part of your individual experience. Choosing what feels best for you and placing your mental well-being above external pressures is entirely acceptable. Remember, your emotions are valid, and prioritizing your mental health is essential.
