Fear of Repeat Experiences
After watching a particularly harrowing thriller, it is easy to feel shaken up and scared as though the movie is still playing out in a continuous loop in the back of your mind. It’s common to feel like you’re being followed or watched, to believe everyone is out to get you, and to jump at the slightest sound. It is important to try and dispel these feelings as, otherwise, this fear can quickly become an ingrained habit that is hard to break.
A healthy response might be to try and deconstruct the movie scene-by-scene. Create a timeline and try to identify why certain scenes stood out and made such a strong impact on you. Trace the roots of each scene, and try to see if you can find the educational intent behind them. You may be responding to the fear and shock, but understanding this natural reaction allows you to move away from it and to start to control the situation.
Attempt to work out the likelihood of such an experience happening to you in real life. Seek out the probability of encountering such occurrences in reality and remember that movies are an entertainment medium and often overstate the truth of what is possible.
Positive Thinking & Self-Care
Thriller movies often contain a lot of violence, which can have a strong effect on your mental state as you watch it and then have to break away from it. To move away from the dark atmosphere, it is important to block out the darker thoughts, and replace them with more positive and reassuring ones.
Take breaks whenever you watch a thriller, and get outdoors for some fresh air. Allow yourself to feel lived in and secure, both mentally and physically. Make sure the environment you’re in has calming vibes and isn’t distracting or over-stimulating. Engage yourself in activities such as yoga, meditation or listening to music to help clear up anxiety. Talk to friends and family about how you are feeling and, sometimes, just talking about it can work as a form of catharsis.
Furthermore, experts suggest avoiding rumination which is when you spend an inordinate amount of time replaying traumatic or scary scenes from the movie. Instead, break the cycle of worry by distinguishing between dangerous and safe scenarios. Practice gratitude and focus on the positive aspects of life.
Educating Yourself on It
Many thrillers depict the human mind and the kind of unpredictable lengths people can go to – understand the science behind this by reading up and consuming content on psychology and neuroscience. Go beyond the movies and read up on real-world cases and examples, but also keep in mind that not every situation needs to be viewed through the lens of a thriller. Learn to comprehend the psychology in order to be better prepared for genuinely dangerous situations.
Educate yourself on safety protocols and the weapons of self-defense available, such as pepper spray and self-defence courses. Enrol in courses such as martial arts or self-defence techniques to empower your sense of security.
Finding the Balance
Thriller movies can seem very dark and overwhelming, so it is important to surround yourself with lighter forms of entertainment such as comedies. Tune into more light-hearted movie genres, watch a cooking show or take part in activities that make you feel content such as painting, reading or any other hobby. A movie experience should be one of pleasure and not one of distress.
Movies are often an escape from reality and create an environment of heightened stimulation, so find a balance between the buzz of thriller movies and the sense of security you want to feel in your everyday life.
Consuming Thrillers Reasonably
Make a point to establish predetermined boundaries for yourself for watching thrillers so that you can begin to gain some mental composure over what you’re watching. Set a quota for how frequently you allow yourself to watch these kinds of movies and how much time you spend watching them. It is also beneficial to make a collective decision if you are watching with friends or family to ensure that you have someone by your side if you feel scared or overwhelmed.
Have a strict bedtime, and watch in a well-lit room to avoid the dark atmosphere which can be unsettling. The vital thing is to feel safe and secure while watching.
Utilizing the Lessons Learned
Thriller movies can teach us a lot about human behavior whether it be the tactics employed by criminals that we should look out for, the way we can protect ourselves, or the ways in which wrongdoers can be exposed. Watching thrillers can teach you how to deal with unique and difficult situations both in terms of logistics and emotionally. Use what you have learned positively by living smarter and being prepared for anytime anything should happen.
The Impact of Violent Thrillers
While watching a thriller can be an intense orgasm of adrenaline, violence, and mystery, experts say it’s important to distinguish between the natural fear that accompanies watching movies and the fear we experience in real-world situations. We can become desensitized to extreme gritty and graphic violent scenes, but it is important to remember that our responses to reality could be very different than to fiction.
Eliminate any unrealistic expectations of yourself after a thriller movie, and don’t end up over-preparing and armoring yourself. Additionally, practice self-care and keep in mind the importance of being mindful and present throughout the film watching process. It’s fine to watch a thriller occasionally, just make sure to maintain balance and perspective.
Processing Emotions After Watching Thriller Movies
To process the emotions that come with attending a thriller movie, it can be beneficial to challenge yourself by understanding your triggers. Many times we watch thriller movies or read horror books because of the adrenaline rush and thrill. However, externalizing the emotions and allowing yourself to feel the fear can be helpful for your mental health.
Experiment with exploring your feelings without attaching to the fear. Make space for processing these emotions with self-care such as reading a book, exercising or meditating. This can be helpful in processing the fear without emotional attachment.
It is also helpful to ask yourself how you are going to make the fantasy of the thriller movie real in your life. What is the lesson to be learned, and how will you bring out that positive effect into your life? Become a detective by uncovering the truth behind the thriller and analyzing the events.
Knowing When to Step Away
Thriller movies, like other forms of intense media, can become an addictive habit. It’s important to keep track of how much time you spend watching these movies, and whether they are affecting your mental health and lifestyle. If you find yourself watching thriller movies one after another and not being able to think clearly, then it might be time to step away.
Additionally, if you don’t want to watch a movie any more for fear of what will happen, then this is also a good reason to stop. Set up a system of monitors that take into account how often, how much and how intense the movie or other media is. Make plans to engage in activities that you enjoy the most, that don’t make you feel overwhelmed. Remember the precarious balance between the thrill and your comfort.
