🎃 It’s Halloween weekend, and this week we’re exploring an interesting question about fear, anxiety, and why some of us willingly seek out a good scare!

Why can we love haunted houses and horror movies but struggle with anxiety in everyday life?

Chelsea breaks down the difference in this week’s Ask Chelsea.

👻 Have a question for a future edition? Send it to chelsea@shadowandlightwellnesstx.com.

Welcome to another week at The Well!

🎃 ASK CHELSEA: HALLOWEEN EDITION

“Why do I love haunted houses and scary movies when I hate feeling anxious in real life?”

Because being scared on purpose is very different from feeling like something might actually be wrong.

In a haunted house or horror movie, your body still reacts. Your heart speeds up. You tense. You might jump, scream, or grab whoever is next to you.

But somewhere in the background, part of your brain recognizes what’s happening.

You chose to be there. You know the threat is temporary. You generally know you can leave. And once the scare is over, your body gets to come back down.

Anxiety does not usually give you that same sense of control.

When your nervous system is reacting to work, relationships, health worries, trauma reminders, or something you cannot quite identify, there may not be an obvious moment when your brain gets the message that the “scary part” is finished.

That is one reason anxiety can be so exhausting. Your body can stay prepared for danger long after you actually need it to.

So yes, you can absolutely love being scared and still hate anxiety.

One comes with an exit sign.

The other sometimes takes a little more work to find.

👻 Have a mental health or relationship question you want answered?

Email chelsea@shadowandlightwellnesstx.com with the subject line “Ask Chelsea.”

If your question is featured, your name, email address, and identifying information will not be included.

Chelsea Reed-Lahey, M.A., LPC Associate

Shadow & Light Wellness