From TIME · Juli Fraga · · 1m 50s
Halloween offers a chance to rethink fear
Psychotherapists say the holiday lets you safely explore your relationship with fear and build emotional resilience.
In brief
Psychotherapists say the holiday lets you safely explore your relationship with fear and build emotional resilience. Psychotherapists specializing in AEDP say Halloween offers a safe way to explore fear and that learning to work with emotions improves mental health. Originally reported by TIME.
Fear is a powerful core emotion
When you're scared, your heart pounds, pupils dilate, and you may gasp or scream. These reactions are rooted in biology and help you survive by prompting you to bolt for safety.
Halloween lets you experiment safely
The holiday gives you a chance to experiment with fear. The fright is real, but the threat is not, making it an ideal time to explore your emotional responses.
Suppressing emotions harms your health
Psychotherapists specializing in Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy, or AEDP, know that naming and working with fear is good for health. Suppressing emotions can lead to depression and anxiety.
Recognize fear in your body
During a frightening moment, notice trembling hands, a racing heart, or feeling cold. Research shows that putting language on your emotions can help regulate and tame distress.
Watch fear come and go
Rather than immediately distracting yourself, approach the emotion with curiosity. Observe how fear builds, peaks, and eventually subsides. A curious mindset can cultivate positive emotions and reduce worry.
Calm your nervous system
Breathing techniques like four seven eight breathing or box breathing can soothe your nervous system. Belly breathing increases parasympathetic regulation of the heart through vagal pathways, helping the body settle into a calmer state.
Notice fear's impulses
When frightened, pay attention to what your body wants to do: flee, freeze, duck, or reach for someone's hand.
Connection calms fear
Sharing a scary moment with another person makes it easier to tolerate. Having someone by your side calms the amygdala, the brain's emotional center, and helps you heal past wounds and traumas.
The essence
Psychotherapists specializing in AEDP say Halloween offers a safe way to explore fear and that learning to work with emotions improves mental health.
