Scary Movie Sleep Tips

When the mood is spooky, nothing makes for better entertainment than a scary movie. Whether Halloween is just around the corner, or scary movies are a thrill you enjoy all year round. Thrillers can be fun to watch while also ruining your sleep.

While a scary movie can be all fun and games, when it is time to go to sleep, your imagination may leave you too spooked to fall asleep. Which is why we are going to share with you some of our top tips on how to sleep after watching a scary movie.

Watch with Friends:

Scary movies are like fun rollercoasters, they are much more fun to do with friends. If you are wanting to watch a scary movie, we highly recommend doing so with a group of good friends. At the very least, watch with your beau.

That way you have someone to cuddle up with and hide behind during the scary parts. Then once the movie is over, you have someone to laugh it off with and hang out with for a while after the movie. This will help to shake off the jitters and make yourself feel better.

You may also enjoy: How To Sleep Better With Anxiety

Turn on the Lights:

When the lights are out, our imaginations have a tendency to run wild. Especially after we have been watching horror movies. If you are trying to get to sleep after watching a scary movie, you may want to leave a good night light on. This way as you fall asleep, or if you get startled awake after a nightmare you will be able to see the room around you. This adds an extra layer of security.

Without fearing what is lingering in the dark, you will be able to fall asleep and stay asleep more easily.

Still afraid of the dark? Check out our post: Say Goodbye To Being Afraid Of The Dark

Change the Mood:

Right after watching a scary movie, your mind is setting the tone in your home and mind of the movie you just watched. In order to change how your mind is processing the world around you, change up the mood.

Put on some happy dance music, or any favorite album that makes you feel good. Do some dancing, make some tea, read a book. Do something to change up the entire feel and mood in your home.

Some people believe that reading before bed can ruin your sleep, we disagree. Visit our page Should You Be Reading Before Bed? to find out why.

Watch a Different Movie:

If you find that you are restless, and simply can’t relax enough to get to sleep. Then we recommend giving your mind something else to focus on. Find a great palette cleansing movie. Pick out a movie that you know and love that is not frightening at all.

Old classics that you can focus on and enjoy. This is a great way to get the scary movie out of your mind so that you can find a way to ease your mind and head off to sleep.

Is having a TV in the bedroom ruining your sleep? Click the link to find out if it is time to kick the TV out of the bedroom.

Call Someone You Love:

Talking to someone you love is a great way to get your mind off of something that scares you. We suggest calling someone who you could sit and talk to for hours about nothing in particular. If they are someone who is great at calming you down and making you feel comfortable, that is even better.

This is a helpful tip not only for those who need to be actively calmed down from a very frightened state, but also for those who just need a good distraction from their fears. It will help to take your mind off of being fearful in order to let you get tired enough to go to sleep.

Watch Your Scary Movie Early:

If you know there is a scary film you are wanting to watch, plan to watch it earlier in the day. You could go to a matinee showing, or a bit later if you prefer. Just make sure you have enough time after the movie to really reset your state of mind.

This will make it much easier to fall asleep after watching a scary movie. If you finished the movie and went straight to bed afterword, it would be much more difficult to get the movie off of your mind.

Do you know the difference between a night terror and a standard nightmare? Learn more in our post: The Difference Between Night Terrors & Nightmares

Calm Yourself with Meditation:

Usually that spooked feeling you get after watching a scary movie is very similar to high anxiety. Meditation can be a great all-natural way to try and combat your anxiety when it gets out of hand. It is all about calming and regaining control over your thoughts, emotions, and body.

Slow intentional breathing, and focusing your mind can help tame those wild and nervous thoughts caused by fear.

Check out our page Meditation for Sleep, Anxiety & Healing to learn more about how meditation practices can help you get to sleep and other health benefits.

Play The “Behind the Scenes”:

Take some of the mystery behind the scary movie you just watched by watching the behind the scenes clips for the movie.

Even though you already know this is a fictional movie logically, this is a great way to breakdown the idea that the film is real even further. You get to see actors in their costumes and out of character.

Watching people joke around in front of green screens, or seeing special effects makeup applied can take down the illusion of the monsters you have seen created within the film.

Allowing your brain to further connect the idea that this is all an illusion and nothing to be afraid of. This tactic is especially helpful for children who often have a difficult time comprehending what is real and what is pretend.

Cuddle with a Weighted Blanket:

Weighted blanketed are a great way to relieve stress and anxiety. If you have never used a weighted blanket before, they provide something referred to as “deep pressure”.

This is even used for therapeutic reasons to calm anxiety. Which makes a weighted blanket a great tool to use when you are trying to get some sleep after watching a scary movie. The weighted blanket increases feel good hormones.

Our Top 3 Weighted Blankets:

• Nest Bedding Luxury Weighted Blanket
• Baloo Weighted Blanket
• Bearaby Weighted Blanket

Want to learn more about weighted blankets? Head to our article Weighted Blanket Benefits to read all about them.

Sleep Will Eventually Come:

After a long night of being spooked by every little sound in your home, you may feel like you will never get to sleep. However, do not fret. If you cozy up and try to remain calm, then sleep will eventually find you.

Even if you have a full night with no rest, your body will eventually take over and you will get to sleep at some point. Have faith that your body will do what it needs to do in order to take care of itself.

Ever wonder why we need sleep? If so, then you will love our post: The Importance of Sleep & Why Do We Sleep?

Final Thoughts: Sleeping After A Scary Movie:

It is possible to watch the scary movies you know and love, and also get a great night’s sleep. We hope these fun tips and tricks help you to get to sleep even after watching a movie that scares you silly. Whether it is a good long talk with a loved one, or snuggling up under your favorite weighted blanket, remember that eventually you will be able to get some rest. It may take a while for the fear and anxiety to subside, but you will be able to get some rest soon.

Nightmares waking you up? We have some tips on how to get back to sleep as well. Check out our post: Putting Nightmares To Rest