One of my favorite parts of this month are haunted houses and especially horror movies.  I even create an annual Halloween horror movie marathon list. If I’m being honest, horror movies are a big part of my life year-around. Ask me sometime how classic 70s Italian horror is why my now-husband and I hit it off.

As someone who is risk-averse, prefers to be in control and is Type-A with a dash of anxiety, how could I possibly love horror? I’m willingly subjecting myself to visual, auditory and psychological trauma.

The answer is simple and possibly unexpected. It’s therapeutic.

When I watch a horror movie or walk through a haunted house, I’m able to experience fear in a controlled setting. I’m able be anxious about something right in front of me not imagined or living in my head. And after the catharsis and adrenaline, it makes my imagined anxieties seem a little less palpable.

And if you’re thinking “oh hell, no,” I’m not alone. Danish researcher Dr. Mathias Clasen has actually focused his research on this phenomenon and the enjoyable nature of horror.

“Exposure to horror films can be gratifying when the negative emotions caused by the film are manageable.”  Moreover, there’s psychological distance when we watch a horror film. We know it’s not real—or at least, some parts of our brain know it isn’t real. Other parts—ancient structures located in the limbic system—respond as though it were real. The genre allows us to voluntarily—and under controlled circumstances—get experience with negative emotion.”

So if you’re feeling a little anxious today, consider spending some time with Pinhead, Freddy or Jason. And if you want a little taste of my medication, here are clips from three of my favorite horror films.

Suspiria favourite clip

Hereditary (2018) - *Creepy scene* High quality *1080p*

Halloween is Wednesday, which means we’ve had an almost full month of haunted houses, grinning jack-o-lanterns, an unwanted proliferation of candy corn and horror movies.

Horror is where the heart is

Condensed

So I’d like you to meet Bob Ross. An incredible human being and painter. On the off chance you’re living under a rock, the Internet labels him, along with Mr. Rogers and Steve Irwin, members of The Trinity of Wholesomeness.

The man doesn’t believe in mistakes, “just happy little accidents.”

There’s nothing like cleaning your brush to “beat the devil out of it and take all your hostilities and frustrations out.”

And most importantly, “talent is a pursued interest. Anything that you’re willing to practice, you can do.”

If you’ve heard him speak or are about to (which yes, you totally should), you know ALL about his calm invoking, I-could-die-happy-right-now voice. And if I didn’t already love painting, that voice would’ve convinced me to pick up a brush in a minute flat.

In his words, if nothing else, painting should make you happy. So I’m telling you, when you’re feeling overwhelmed or restricted, turn on some Bob Ross (YouTube or Netflix, take your pick) and watch him paint. Or better yet, grab a canvas and join him. It’s freeing. So. Freeing.

Here’s a quick 5-minute video compilation, “How to be Happy by Bob Ross,” with snippets of him painting his heart out and, basically, imparting some of the kindest words you’ll ever hear.

20 Bob Ross quotes from Joy of painting - "How to be happy by Bob Ross"

If I could have a penny for every time I’ve felt overwhelmed. Work’s crazy. Life’s crazy. There’re bills and deadlines to deal with every day. Adulting is hard.

Have a Happy Little Day

But you need a breather. I need a breather. We all need a breather. A breather that’ll give us back a slice of peace and positivity in a world full of problems and pessimism, remind us that shit’s going to be just fine.