You’ve just watched a scary movie and now sleep feels impossible, right?
Don’t fret, you’re not alone. This guide is here to help! With practical tips and techniques, you’ll learn how to calm your mind, separate fiction from reality, and drift off to sleep peacefully.
After all, a good night’s sleep shouldn’t be sacrificed for a couple of hours of thrill. So, ready to say ‘Scared? Sleep anyway!’?
Dive in!
Talk about it and rationalise - Even to Yourself
Start discussing the scary movie you’ve just watched, focusing on the parts that frightened you the most. It’s perfectly normal to feel a bit rattled after watching a horror film. Your heart may be racing, and your mind might be churning with frightening images. But remember, it’s just a movie, and those fears can be managed.
One effective way to process your fear is to talk about the movie. If you watched it with someone, start a conversation about the scenes that scared you the most. If you’re alone, you can text a friend or even talk to yourself aloud. Hearing your own voice describe the scenes can help you rationalize your fears and realize that what you watched was just fiction.
Writing can also be a therapeutic tool. Jot down your thoughts in your phone’s notes app or a journal. What scared you? Why? As you write, you might discover that your fears are less potent when they’re out in the open, instead of lurking in your mind.
Furthermore, researching the movie online can also help. Reading reviews or plot summaries can give you a new perspective and help you separate reality from fiction. Remember, a scary movie is a product of creative filming techniques, like special camera angles and dramatic lighting. By focusing on these technical aspects, you can appreciate the film as a work of art, rather than a source of fear.
Facing your fears head-on can feel challenging, but it’s a crucial step towards a good night’s sleep. Give it a try, you’re stronger than you think.
Watch a Different Movie or Something Lighthearted
After watching a spine-chilling movie, try shifting your focus by tuning into a lighthearted comedy or an old favorite that’s sure to soothe your nerves. It’s natural for unsettling images to linger, but you can speed up the process of moving on by replacing them with something more pleasant.
Here are some suggestions to help you:
Watch a Comedy: A single episode of your favorite comedy series can work wonders in lightening the mood. Laughter is a natural stress reliever and can help you forget about the creepy scenes.
Explore Reality TV: Sometimes, the silliness of reality television is all you need to distract your mind. The light-heartedness can bring you back to reality, away from the haunting movie.
Watch Funny Clips: There’s a wide variety of funny clips online that can quickly shift your mood. These are especially useful if you don’t have much time before bed.
Revisit a Classic: Choose a movie you know and love, something entirely non-threatening. This can be a great way to cleanse your mental palette, helping you relax and prepare for sleep.
Remember, it’s essential to go to bed with a positive mindset rather than checking for potential dangers. The world is full of fun, and it’s vital to remind yourself of this before sleep. By focusing on something enjoyable, you’ll be in a better headspace, ready to drift off into a peaceful slumber.
You’ve got this!
Watch Your Scary Movie Early
Having wrapped up your lighthearted comedy or classic favorite, consider scheduling your next viewing of a thriller earlier in the day. This strategy allows you ample time to shake off any lingering unease or adrenaline-induced jitters. By giving your body and mind the chance to calm down, you’re less likely to carry those nightmarish images into the realm of your dreams.
Watching a scary movie induces a fight-or-flight response, which can flood your system with stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. These chemicals are designed to keep you alert, which is the exact opposite state you want to be in when you’re trying to sleep. Timing is key here: it takes a while for these hormones to settle, so it’s wise to give your body the opportunity to return to its normal, relaxed state before you hit the sack.
Another advantage to watching your scary movie early is that it leaves you time to rationalize your fears. Discussing the film with friends, reading up on the actors, or even watching behind-the-scenes footage can all reinforce the fact that what you watched was fiction. This can be a powerful tool in separating your emotions from reality.
If, after all this, you still find yourself struggling to unwind, you can employ various relaxation techniques. A deep breathing exercise, progressive muscle relaxation, or even a gentle yoga sequence can all help to calm your mind and prepare your body for sleep.
Watch the movie bloopers or behind the scenes clips
In the wake of a terrifying movie, you’ll find comfort and amusement in watching the film’s bloopers or behind-the-scenes clips. These can help you to demystify the scary elements of the film by revealing the filmmaking process and the actors behind the characters.
Bloopers: These often hilarious outtakes can rapidly transform a terrifying character into a relatable and human actor. Watching them fumble lines or break character can help to dissipate any lingering fear.
Behind-the-scenes footage: This usually involves the actors talking about their roles, the director discussing their vision, or showing how the special effects are made. It’s a great way to understand that everything you saw was simply a carefully orchestrated illusion.
Actor interviews: Viewing interviews with the actors discussing their roles can provide deeper insight into the film’s creation. This can help you separate the actor from the character and affirm the fiction of the film.
Making-of documentaries: Many films release additional content that shows the process of making the film. These usually reveal the intricate work that goes into creating the illusions on screen.
Remember, the aim is to remind yourself that the film was a work of fiction created by a team of professionals. None of it’s real and none of it can harm you. So, next time you’re left trembling after a horror movie, pull up the bloopers or behind-the-scenes footage and start laughing instead of trembling.
It’s a simple, yet effective way to calm your nerves and prepare for a peaceful night’s sleep.
Distract yourself and relax your mind or Medidate
To shake off the jitters from a scary movie, you can distract your mind with activities or meditate, which is all about taking control of your feelings and thoughts. Meditation is a natural way to combat anxiety and fear. It’s about calming your mind, focusing on the present moment, and slowing down your breathing. By doing so, you can help tame those wild, nervous thoughts that fear often triggers.
Remember, it’s not all gore and suspense out there. Watching something of an entirely different genre can be a great distraction. Put on a cartoon or a comedy show. The laughter this generates will help dissipate your fears and increase your endorphins, making it easier to relax.
Another effective way to distract your mind is by engaging in activities that require concentration, like a crossword or sudoku. If your brain is focused intently on something else, you’re less likely to think about the scary movie you’ve just watched.
Of course, relaxation isn’t only about distraction. It’s also about creating a calming environment and establishing a bedtime routine. Dim the lights in your bedroom, play some soothing music or white noise, and try aromatherapy with calming scents like lavender or chamomile.
Sleep With The Lights On
If you’re feeling uneasy after a scary movie, your peace of mind might just be a light switch away. Sometimes, the simple act of leaving a light on can help you feel safer, and there’s absolutely no shame in that.
Choose the right light: You could leave your main room light on, but if that’s too bright, opt for a smaller light source like a bedside lamp or a nightlight. The goal is to illuminate your surroundings without disrupting your sleep.
Add an extra layer of security: Seeing your room clearly can reassure you that there are no hidden threats. This visibility can put your mind at ease and help you fall asleep faster.
Manage your imagination: In the dark, our imaginations can run wild, especially after watching something scary. By keeping a light on, you can keep your imagination in check, reducing the chances of fear creeping in.
Promote better sleep: If the fear of the dark is causing you to lose sleep, then leaving a light on might help you to not only fall asleep faster but also improve the quality of your sleep.
Remember, the goal is to get a good night’s sleep. If a little light can help you achieve that, then there’s no harm in it. After all, it’s better to sleep with a light on than not sleep at all. You’re in control of your sleeping environment, so adjust it in a way that helps you feel secure and comfortable.
Sleep tight!
Why do scary movies make it so hard to sleep?
Ever wondered why your heart races and sleep eludes you after watching a scary movie? It’s because your body’s fight or flight response kicks in, tricking you into sensing a potential threat. You’ve spent the last couple of hours on the edge of your seat, your cortisol and adrenaline levels spiked, and your body doesn’t return to normal instantly when the credits roll.
Now that you know why, let’s talk about how to combat this. One way is to rationalize your fears. Discuss the movie, remind yourself it’s fiction, and understand that the scary characters are just actors. Watching behind-the-scenes clips or interviews with the actors discussing the film can further cement this distinction between reality and fiction.
Another effective strategy is to distract and relax your mind. Switch to watching something from a different genre, laugh, or engage in activities that require focus. This helps redirect your brain’s attention away from the scary movie. You can also try relaxation techniques like deep breathing exercises or meditation.
Modifying your sleeping environment can also provide a sense of security. Ensure your doors and windows are locked, invite a pet to sleep in your room, or play neutral background noise at a low volume.
Lastly, establish a consistent bedtime routine to signal your body that it’s time to sleep. Avoid stimulating activities, limit screen time, and try reading a book or taking a warm bath before bed. It may take time, but with these strategies, you’ll soon regain control over your sleep, even after the scariest of movies.
Conclusion
So, there you have it. Don’t let a thrilling flick steal your precious sleep.
Talk it out, watch something light or the movie’s bloopers to bring reality back into focus.
Meditate, distract your mind, and if needed, sleep with the lights on.
Remember, it’s only a movie. You’re safe, and sleep is too important to skip.
You’ve got this. So next time you’re spooked, just say – ‘Scared? Sleep anyway!’.