While you are not actually at risk, a horror movie may make you feel like you are. (Source: Getty/Thinkstock)
You are finally watching the horror movie that you have wanted to watch for a while now. It is everything you imagined, blood and gore, and jump scares and shrieks. And while you are enjoying every bit of this experience, your body is reacting to the situation in ways you havent imagined. And regardless of whether you are in a movie threatre or tucked safely under the covers, there are some typical responses that come about when you are immersed in the genre. Want to find out what they are? Read on.
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Your heart rate goes up
This is a basic response to when you feel threatened. And while you are not actually at risk, a horror movie may make you feel like you are. Besides, it is easiest to associate yourself with the protagonist of a horror film, so much so that you start feeling similar fight-or-flight responses. There is a cascading effect to this. According to a study conducted by the University of Westminster, watching a horror film can burn calories and subsequently help in weight loss as well given the increase in heart rate.
Your muscles contract
Lets just say the scarier the movie, the more difficult it is for you to relax. As mentioned before, your fight-or-flight responses are triggered. So, you are naturally on edge, ready for whatever is in store (in the film, of course). This is why you get startled easy when you watch a scary film. You tend to clench your fists tight. It is similar to experiencing a roller coaster ride.
Horror movies can help with anxiety
This might read as counter-intuitive, but watching a horror film can help you, particularly if you struggle with anxiety. While the common belief is that those who have had any kind of trauma could be triggered by the genre, it might not always be the case. Experts believe that a horror film can also calm you down by giving you a strange reassuring feeling that you are not being subjected to whatever is shown on screen, and that you are in a safe environment. Additionally, it gives people an outlet to redirect their personal anxiety into something else, something that is not real.
The brain shifts gears
When you watch films belonging to other genres, the brain is in a relaxed state, because thats what films are supposed to do relax you. Horror films, obviously, dont abide by this rule. The brain, therefore, gets fully sucked in and its central focus increases. This means, you are in a state wherein its just you and the film. The slightest distractions, therefore, may alarm you and give you goosebumps.
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Love horror movies? Learn what happens to your body when you watch one - The Indian Express
