Watching horror movies can be quite an experience. Just the thought of watching a scary film can make people nervous. You know something is going to happen that will make you jump, and that anticipation can be nerve-wracking. These films get your heart racing and your pulse up, and you might find yourself scared of being alone or in the dark once the movie ends. There are some great horror movies lined up for this year, and “Hereditary” is expected to be amazing!
Interestingly, watching horror movies can actually be good for your health. This isn’t just some random claim; it’s backed by scientific research. Here are seven reasons why horror movies can benefit your health:
1. Watching a horror movie can help you burn around 200 calories at a time. If you don’t have the time or energy to hit the gym, you can substitute it with a horror movie. Ninety minutes of a scary film can help you burn about 113 calories, which is the same amount found in a chocolate bar or what you’d burn during a 30-minute walk. So why walk so much when you can just curl up in fear and burn it all away?
2. It might sound funny, but when you watch a horror movie, you’re scared from start to finish. This keeps your body in a constant state of alertness, known as the “fight or flight” mode. This response pumps adrenaline into your system, raising your glucose and cortisol levels. Since you choose to watch these movies, it becomes easier to handle real-life dangers and feel safer outside.
3. Being in a constant state of alertness improves brain activity. Watching horror movies releases neurotransmitters that can boost brain activity, keeping you alert for longer periods. This makes you better prepared to face various situations in life.
4. Horror movies can also boost your immune system. The adrenaline rush from watching these films increases the number of white blood cells in your body. So, eating well and watching a lot of horror movies might mean fewer visits to the doctor.
5. It’s not just a movie trope that people get close and cuddly during horror films. When we’re scared, our brains release feel-good hormones like dopamine and serotonin, the same ones released when we fall in love. This might explain why you feel attracted to someone when you hold them tight during a scary movie.
6. In the past, nature forced us to deal with extreme situations, preparing us for anything the world threw at us. While things have changed and we’re in a safer environment now, horror movies tap into our instinct to act, which is deeply embedded in our DNA.
7. Being scared can be stressful, but research suggests otherwise. Watching scary movies helps you release stress. The intense emotions you feel while immersed in the movie’s world help you stop thinking about whatever was bothering you, allowing you to return to it later with a clearer mind. However, this only works for people who enjoy watching scary movies.
