Why Is It So Hard to Fall Asleep After Watching a Scary Movie?

This is a guest contribution from Lisa Smalls. 

It’s no secret America loves horror.

Last year, horror films had their best year yet, bringing in a whopping $733 million in ticket sales with two months left to go in the year. We might not know why we’re so obsessed with being scared out of our wits, all we know is it’s fun.

No matter how much love a good scare or how good you are at convincing yourself it’s not real, sometimes it’s hard to get those images seared into your brain out of your head, especially at bedtime.

What happens in your brain when you watch a scary movie

Research suggests that humans find pleasure in situations that allow us to experience negative emotions in safe spaces. That’s because after the initial flood of anxiety and stress, once we know we’re safe, our bodies release endorphins and neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin. These feel-good chemicals induce a sense of calm and relief.

Studies show that the stronger the fear, the more likely a person is to enjoy the terror. That’s because distress and delight are correlated. The pleasure that comes from a horrifying experience is a result of the relief that follows. The stronger the fear, the stronger the flood of relief.

However, not all people experience this same post-terror euphoria after they watch a scary movie. Some are more sensitive to the effects of fear than others.

Regardless of whether you are energized or paralyzed by a horror films, you are likely to suffer the consequences come bedtime. Why, you wonder? It all has to do with stress.

Why scary movies affect your sleep

Anxiety and stress directly affect our sleep quality. When we are under chronic stress, our bodies are unable to relax in order to fall asleep. That’s because our sympathetic nervous system stays in a constant state or fight-or-flight — aka our bodies constantly release neurotransmitters such as adrenaline, dopamine, and noradrenaline, all of which increase alertness (the opposite of what should happen at bedtime).

Not to mention, stress has been known to trigger nightmares. Some clinicians even believe nightmares help people process traumatic events… like seeing It.

Dealing with emotions, such as anxiety and stress, can manifest into nightmares, forcing you to face your subconscious fears. If you have a fear of small spaces, you may dream about being stuck in an elevator with nowhere to escape. Some common scenarios in horror movies may trigger one of your fears to manifest itself in your dreams in various ways.

So what do you do if you can’t get to bed after watching a scary movie?

If you can’t say no to your favorite horror flick, at least give yourself time to wind down and relax before going to bed. That will allow time for cortisol levels (aka the stress hormone) to drop.

If stress in general affects your sleep, you may need to look at your sleep habits from a holistic point of view.

Perhaps you’ve had your mattress five years too long and it no longer supports your sleep habits.

If sleep is a battle every night, try some relaxation techniques or evening yoga to keep the demons at bay. After all, there’s nothing scarier than a bad night’s sleep.

About the Contributor

Lisa is a freelance writer from North Carolina. When she isn’t writing, you can find her at the latest horror film to hit theatres or playing with her pup.