That makes us wonder, why do we love being scared so much?
Therapist Jessie Shepherd (MA, LCMHC) of Blue Clover Therapy says unlike the “scared fear” you get from something dangerous, a lot of Halloween activities have the feeling of a “safety net;” you just know you’re not in real danger.
This is called “fun fear,” and Jessie says it actually has some great benefits. Here’s what she shared with us:
1. The Rush
• Your body releases a rush of adrenaline, endorphins and dopamine.
2. Creates a curious open mind
• The experience is different then our current reality engaging our curiosity.
3. Social bond
• When you go ‘through’ the experience together you end up sharing a biological flood together, creating a strong bond. This also creates a badge of honor within your social group and a sense of self achievement.
4. Novelty
• New experiences make life exciting and our memory/ attention systems are more engaged. It can create a sense of ‘being alive.’
5. Post sense of well-being:
• Paired with the safety net, the experience of fear subsides but we are left with a gratifying sense of relief and subsequent well-being.
Jessie says you can get the most out of your fun fear when you:
• Try something new or different.
• Note your safety nets.
• Know your edge (don’t go past it).
• Share the experience.
Get in touch with Jessie by visiting blueclovertherapy.com.
Jessie Shepherd, MA, LCMHC is a Mental Health Counselor in Utah. She has a Masters Degree in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Phoenix and a Bachelors degree in Psychology from the University of Utah. Her focus is treating trauma, eating disorders and adjustment issues in adults, adolescents, children and their families. She utilizes Dialectic Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Play Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Neurological Feedback. She also works with performance anxiety and performance enhancement using EMDR and Neurological Feedback.