Happy Halloween!

It's More Than a Candy Grab...

You think Halloween is just about candy and skimpy costumes? Think again. This annual festival of fright is a goldmine of psychological hacks that can help you level up your life, if you’re brave enough to look beyond the plastic skeletons and pumpkin-spice everything. So, grab your fun-sized candy bar of choice, and let's talk about how to harness the power of Halloween to become the most badass version of yourself.

The Costume Conundrum: More Than Just a Mask

That superhero costume you’ve been eyeing? It’s not just a costume. It’s a psychological Trojan horse. Researchers refer to it as “enclothed cognition,” a term that describes the idea that what we wear can systematically influence our thoughts and behavior. Adam and Galinsky (2012) found that when people wore a lab coat that they believed belonged to a doctor, they performed better on attention-related tasks. So, when you don that Wonder Woman outfit, you’re not just playing dress-up; you’re tapping into the symbolic power of that character. You’re giving yourself permission to be brave, powerful, and take-no-shit. Don’t just wear the costume. Embody it. Feel the power. And then, here’s the kicker: carry that feeling with you into your 9-to-5.

The "Good" Fear: Why a Little Scare is Good for the Soul

Are you an "adrenaline junkie" who loves a good haunted house, a "white knuckler" who gets a thrill from conquering your fear, or a "dark coper" who finds a strange comfort in the macabre? A 2022 study on the "Psychological Benefits of Scary Play" identified these three types of horror fans, all of whom reap benefits from a good scare. Recreational fear, the kind you experience in a haunted house or watching a horror movie, is a powerful tool for building resilience. It’s a safe space to practice emotion regulation, to feel the thrill of fear and the relief of survival. As Clasen et al. (2020) put it, engaging with "threat scenarios in a safe context" can be a useful way to learn how to respond to dangerous situations. So go ahead, get your scream on. It's training for life's real monsters.

The Social Potion: Connection in the Chaos

In an increasingly disconnected world, Halloween is a powerful antidote. From the shared screams in a haunted maze to the simple act of trick-or-treating, Halloween fosters a sense of community. It’s a night of "inversion," where social norms are turned upside down, and we’re free to express ourselves in ways we normally wouldn’t (Rogers, 2002). This temporary freedom strengthens social bonds and reminds us that we're all in this beautiful, messy, and sometimes scary life together.

When the Scares Aren’t Fun: A Word on Halloween Anxiety

For some, Halloween is a minefield of anxiety. The jump scares, the creepy crawlies, the social pressure… it can be a lot. If that’s you, it’s okay. You’re not broken. Samhainophobia, the fear of Halloween, is a real thing. But here’s a reframe for you: your anxiety is just a misfiring of your internal alarm system. It’s trying to protect you. Instead of fighting it, acknowledge it. And then, take back your power. Set boundaries. Maybe you skip the haunted house and opt for a horror movie marathon at home. Maybe you host a small get-together with trusted friends instead of a massive costume party. You are the one in control.

Your Mission, Should You Choose to Accept It

This Halloween, I challenge you to do more than eat the kids' candy until you're sick. I challenge you to see this holiday as the psychological playground it is. Embrace the power of your costume. Lean into the "good" fear. Connect with your community. And if the scares get to be too much, honor your boundaries.

Unleash your inner monster. You might be surprised at how much it looks like your most powerful, authentic self.

References:

• Adam, H., & Galinsky, A. D. (2012). Enclothed cognition. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 48(4), 918-925.

• Clasen, M., Christiansen, J., & Johnson, J. A. (2020). Horror, personality, and threat simulation: A survey of the psychology of frightening fiction. Evolutionary Behavioral Sciences, 14(3), 213–230.

• Rogers, N. (2002). Halloween: From pagan ritual to party night. Oxford University Press.

• Scrivner, C., Andersen, M., Schjødt, U., & Clasen, M. (2022). The Psychological Benefits of Scary Play in Three Types of Horror Fans. OSF Preprints.