How to Not Be Scared After Watching a Horror Film

AKA: How to Convince Yourself the Girl in the Mirror Isn’t a Demon and That Your Cat Didn’t Just Whisper Your Name

So you just watched a horror movie.
Maybe it was a slasher. Maybe it was supernatural. Maybe it was “Midsommar” and now you’re scared of sunlight and smiling people in flower crowns. Whatever it was, you’re spooked. You’re questioning every shadow, double-taking at coat racks, and you just sprinted up the stairs like a cartoon character because “something” was definitely behind you.

Fear not (literally)! This article is here to help you de-scary your brain and stop side-eyeing your toaster in case it’s possessed. Here's a (not totally serious, but also kinda legit) guide on how to NOT be scared after watching a horror film.

Step 1: Embrace the Ridiculous

Let’s be real. Horror movies, for all their gore and ghostly goodness, are fiction. Most of them are so far removed from reality it’s laughable.

Take a moment to dissect what you just saw:

• That ghost girl? She’s probably got back problems from all the crawling.

• That demon? He's just salty because he can’t log into his Netflix account anymore.

• That doll? Seriously, it’s three pounds of porcelain. Yeet it.

Humor is the enemy of fear. If you can find the absurdity in the film, you’ve already won. Imagine Freddy Krueger struggling with tech support. Picture Jason Voorhees at therapy, trying to talk through his mother issues. Once you can laugh at them, they lose their power.

Step 2: Watch the Behind-the-Scenes

This one’s a game-changer. Find the making-of footage for the movie you just watched and treat yourself to the magic-killing wizardry of movie-making.

• That terrifying monster? Turns out he’s just a dude named Greg in a rubber suit who ate too many burritos at lunch.

• That cursed house? It’s on a backlot in Burbank, sandwiched between a Starbucks and a Rite Aid.

Once you’ve seen the actor playing the ghost checking their phone between takes or the slasher drinking a Gatorade, the illusion crumbles. Your brain goes, “Oh right, this isn’t real,” and that shadow in the corner stops being Her and starts being your laundry basket.

Step 3: Turn the Lights On, Coward (And That’s Okay)

Look, there’s no shame in flipping every single light switch on like you’re trying to signal a spaceship. Darkness is scary because it’s where imagination thrives—and your imagination right now is working overtime like it’s on a deadline.

Combat this by:

• Turning on the lights

• Blasting music that absolutely doesn’t match the tone (think ABBA, Carly Rae Jepsen, or the Shrek soundtrack)

• Singing loudly and badly as you move from room to room. Demons hate off-key karaoke.

Trust me, even the ghost in your closet will be like, “You know what? Never mind.”

Step 4: Snuggle Something That Definitely Won’t Murder You

Dogs, cats, stuffed animals, or even that one soft blanket that feels like a warm hug from the universe—whatever works. Horror movies can make you feel vulnerable, so give yourself some harmless comfort.

Bonus points if your pet gives you that “you’re fine, drama queen” look as you triple-check under the bed.

And if you're alone? Cuddle a pillow. A bunch of pillows. Become a pillow burrito. You’re safe in a fortress of fluff. No demon has ever attacked someone wearing a blanket like a cape. That’s a fact (probably).

Step 5: Distract Yourself with Something Wholesome

Your brain is a sponge that just soaked up a gallon of ghost juice. You need to squeeze that sucker out with something light and fluffy.

Cue up:

• An episode of your favorite comedy show (we’re looking at you, Brooklyn Nine-Nine).

• A YouTube rabbit hole of baby goats in pajamas.

• A cooking tutorial for a dish you’ll never actually make.

Your goal is to overwrite the fear with vibes so positive even the ghosts are like, “Okay, fine, we’ll come back later.”

Step 6: Reality Check: You’re Not in a Movie

Repeat after me: This is not a horror movie. I am not in a horror movie. My house is just creaky because it’s 87 years old and was built by a guy named Stan who probably hated level floors.

The odds of anything supernatural happening? Slim to none. Unless your last name is Warren or your family heirloom is a haunted mirror from Transylvania, you’re probably in the clear.

• No, the mirror isn’t watching you.

• No, the attic doesn’t contain a portal to the netherworld.

• No, your reflection blinking twice wasn’t a glitch in the Matrix—it was your sleepy eyeballs being weird.

Step 7: Move Your Body (Ghosts Hate Cardio)

You’d be surprised how effective a bit of movement is at resetting your nerves. Fear is a physical response. Get up. Shake it off. Do some jumping jacks. Dance like you’re summoning rain. Go full goblin mode and stretch your limbs like a possessed yoga instructor.

Not only does this help burn off nervous energy, but it also reminds you that your body is strong and capable and not here to be a final girl statistic. You are the monster under the bed. Own it.

Step 8: Phone a Friend (or Text, or Send a Meme)

If the fear’s still lingering like the smell of microwave popcorn, reach out to someone. Bonus points if they also watched the movie and can bond with you over shared trauma.

Send a “dude that scene where the ghost crawled backwards down the stairs??? WHY” text and let the hilarity of mutual overreactions begin.

Or call someone who has no idea what you’re talking about and be like, “So I’m fine, but also I may have just seen a Victorian child outside my window.”

Friends remind us we’re not alone—and that someone will call 911 if the doll actually does move.

Step 9: Don’t Watch Another Horror Film Immediately (Unless You’re a Masochist)

This might sound obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people decide the best way to deal with being scared is to watch something EVEN SCARIER. Stop. Put the remote down. This isn’t a Fear Olympics.

Let your nervous system recover. Let your heart rate rejoin society. Maybe try a rom-com. Or literally anything without ominous chanting and cursed staircases.

Step 10: Write About It. Or Draw It. Or Make a Meme

Taking control of the narrative helps you process it. Whether you journal your fears, sketch the monster as a confused cartoon dog, or make a meme about how ghosts never haunt poor people with bad Wi-Fi—getting it out of your head and into the world gives you power over it.

Plus, it’s super satisfying to turn a fear into something funny. Fear hates creativity. Turn that demon into content.

Bonus Round: If All Else Fails, Sleep with a Baseball Bat and Holy Water

Look, some nights just hit harder. Maybe the movie really got to you. Maybe there was a lot of creepy whispering and mirrors and now you’re convinced your shower curtain is plotting something.

On those nights, we go full survival mode. You’re allowed to:

• Keep the light on.

• Sleep with a comfort weapon (bat, sword, tennis racket).

• Whisper, “If you’re a ghost, leave now or pay rent,” before bed.

No judgment. It’s your survival arc. Just make sure your roommate knows the holy water isn’t for cooking.

Final Thoughts: You’ve Got This, Scaredy-Cat

Fear is natural. It’s human. It means you’re alive and your brain is doing its job (albeit dramatically). Horror movies want you to be scared—that’s their whole thing. But once the credits roll, the monsters are done. They don’t follow you home. They’ve got other people to haunt.

You’re not weak for being scared. You’re just someone who has a very vivid imagination and perhaps too much caffeine in your system. But with a little humor, a light switch or twelve, and a firm belief in the power of ABBA, you’ll make it through the night.

And if you hear a noise at 3 AM? Just remember: it’s probably the fridge. Or your cat. Or Greg the Ghost, who just wants to borrow some Wi-Fi.

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🧟 How to Not Be Scared After Watching a Horror Film

AKA: How to Convince Yourself the Girl in the Mirror Isn’t a Demon and That Your Cat Didn’t Just Whisper Your Name

So, you just finished watching a horror movie. Maybe it was a supernatural mind-bender, or maybe it was just 90 minutes of people making terrible decisions in the dark. Either way, you’re spooked.

You’re hearing things. You’re seeing shapes in the corner of your eye. You just ran up the stairs like something was chasing you (and maybe it was… but probably not).

Fear not, fellow spooky movie fan! I’ve got you covered with this casual, funny, and possibly helpful survival guide for how to NOT be scared after watching a horror film.

🎬 Step 1: Embrace the Ridiculous

Let’s be honest—horror movies are kinda dumb. In the best way.

That ghost? She’s just bitter about being barefoot for eternity.
That slasher? He’s clearly in desperate need of a therapist and a breath mint.
That possessed doll? Sis is 12 inches tall. Just dropkick her.

If you can laugh at it, you don’t fear it. Picture the monster in Crocs. Imagine the killer trying to use voice-to-text. The sillier you make it in your head, the less scary it becomes.

🎥 Step 2: Watch the Behind-the-Scenes

Want to absolutely demolish your fear? Look up the “making of” featurettes. Trust me:

• That terrifying demon? He’s just a dude named Greg sweating in a foam suit.

• The haunted house? It's a set between a parking lot and a Subway.

• That creepy child? Played by an actual child who’s probably eating Goldfish crackers between takes.

Once you see the strings, the puppet’s not scary anymore.

💡 Step 3: Turn the Lights On, Coward (It’s Okay)

There’s no shame in lighting up the house like a Walmart aisle. Darkness is fear’s playground.

So flip every light switch. Flood the shadows.
Even better? Blast a song that ghosts would absolutely hate. (Pro tip: They can’t haunt you if you’re dancing to Dancing Queen.)

Sing like no one's watching—especially not that entity you think lives under the bed.

🐶 Step 4: Snuggle Something That Definitely Won’t Kill You

Pets, blankets, stuffed animals—bring out the big guns.

Wrap yourself up like a cinnamon roll of safety. Burrito yourself in a blanket. Cuddle your dog. Stare into your cat’s soulless eyes until you feel like the scary one.

Comfort = power.

📺 Step 5: Purge the Fear with Wholesome Content

Your brain is currently a haunted house. Time to evict the ghosts with:

• An episode of your favorite comedy

• Cute animal videos (pajama goats, anyone?)

• A cooking show where nobody gets possessed by the soup

Let something pure and wholesome wash away the horror like chicken soup for the anxious soul.

🧠 Step 6: Reality Check: You’re Not in a Horror Movie

Repeat after me:

“This is not a horror movie. I am not the final girl. That noise was just my air conditioner having an existential crisis.”

Haunted mirrors, cursed dolls, and forest cults are all movie things. Unless your family tree includes a demonologist or your apartment is above a burial ground (check your lease), you’re fine.

Seriously.

🕺 Step 7: Move Your Body (Ghosts Hate Cardio)

You’ve got all this nervous energy sitting in your limbs like battery acid. Shake it out.

• Do a dance break

• Try some horror-themed yoga (Downward Demonic Dog?)

• Jump around like you’re trying to summon rain

Movement resets your nervous system. Plus, no ghost has ever survived someone aggressively twerking to Beyoncé.

📱 Step 8: Phone a Friend (or Send a Ghost Meme)

Nothing helps more than laughing about your shared trauma with someone who also just watched Hereditary and now refuses to enter their attic.

Text your bestie:

“If I die tonight, it was the doll. You were right.”

Or call someone and say, “Hey, real quick, if a demon tries to possess me, you’ll know it’s not me if I suddenly start liking cottage cheese.”

Community = sanity. Even if your community is sending memes about haunted Roombas.

🛑 Step 9: Don’t Watch Another Horror Film Right Away

Tempting, right? You're riding that horror high. But your nervous system is already clinging to life with a shaky hand.

Resist. Go watch a rom-com. Or an animated movie. Or anything where no one dies in the third act screaming “IT’S BEHIND YOU.”

You don’t need another fear infusion. You need healing.

✍️ Step 10: Turn That Fear Into Content

• Draw the monster like it’s in Scooby-Doo

• Journal your horror survival thoughts like it’s your final log

• Make a meme about how even demons don’t pay rent

Channeling your fear into something creative = boss move.
You’re not the victim—you’re the storyteller now.

⚔️ Bonus Round: Sleep With Holy Water and a Baseball Bat (If You Must)

Sometimes the fear sticks around like glitter in your carpet. You know it’s dumb. You know you're fine. And yet…

Do what you gotta do:

• Keep the lights on

• Put a bat by your bed

• Whisper “I ain't afraid of no ghost” until you fall asleep

• Light a lavender candle for ambiance (and maybe ghost repellant, who knows)

It’s not paranoia. It’s preparedness.

🧡 Final Thoughts: You’re Braver Than You Think

You love horror for a reason. It’s thrilling. It’s intense. It makes you feel something. But fear doesn’t get to own your night.

With a little humor, some bright lights, a sprinkle of ABBA, and a whole lot of self-love, you’ll be totally fine.

And hey—if a ghost actually does show up?

Tell ‘em to Venmo you for rent or get out.

Liked this post?
Share it with your horror-loving friends, or leave a comment about the movie that scared the pants off you last. 👻👇
Stay spooky—but also stay sane.