Halloweens Impact on Mental Health

Most people know halloween as a time of candy and fun, when you can dress up and

hang out with friends, watch scary movies, and go to haunted houses. But people

typically don’t realize the psychological aspect of the popular holiday. While for many it

acts as a break from everyday life, being able to dress up as your favorite character and

have fun, for others it can be a particularly stressful holiday. It’s incredibly important to

recognize the psychological struggles of others, and to try to make it enjoyable for

everyone.

Social Anxiety and Isolation

Halloween is one of the only holidays where spending time with friends, as opposed to

family, is normalized, and even expected. People tend to celebrate in groups, so for

those without many friends or a friend group, this can be a source of anxiety. Many

teens, especially in high school, prefer to go to a party or spend time at someone’s

house instead of going trick-or-treating, but this also holds many opportunities of being

left out. Some people may not get invited to these functions, and that can lead to feeling

isolated. This can be a common circumstance, especially in instances when someone

can only invite a set number of people.

Group costumes also hold the potential to cause similar feelings. We all want to dress

up as our favorite iconic character duos and groups, which can lead to smaller groups

being formed within a larger one. Someone might want to be included in a group

costume, but sometimes the numbers simply don’t line up, which can lead to others

being excluded.

Insecurity Around Costumes

Dressing up is undoubtedly one of the best parts of halloween. But as teens get older,

the types of “socially acceptable” costumes tend to change. Some may find that no

longer is it acceptable to show up as a princess or a minion, but now it’s a playboy

bunny or a sexy cowboy. While there’s nothing wrong with dressing this way if that’s

what someone is comfortable in, this can lead to others feeling as if they need to dress

a certain way to feel included. Some teens may not be allowed to wear those “sexier”

costumes, and some may simply not be comfortable. Adolescence is a time of change

and insecurity, and it may be difficult for someone to put themselves out there like that.

But while they may not be comfortable, this can also make them feel like they don’t fit in.

If everyone except them is dressing a certain way, they might feel incredibly alone or

even embarrassed, causing them to feel even more left out.

Managing Your Emotions

If you find yourself in a similar situation, don’t worry, because there are still ways to

enjoy this holiday. Halloween is supposed to be fun and exciting, so don’t let your

anxieties and insecurities stop you from having that. Here are some tips if you find

yourself struggling:

Stick with a friend.

Staying with a close friend can help these situations seem less overwhelming. Not only

do you have a built-in-buddy to hang out with the entire time, but you also have a

shoulder to lean on if things get particularly overwhelming. Hanging out with a friend can

help to alleviate feelings of isolation in a situation where you may not be entirely

comfortable.

Wear what you’re comfortable in.

While it’s easier said than done, don’t worry too much about trying to fit in. At the end of

the day, if you aren’t comfortable, you won’t have fun. Go for something familiar in order

to reduce the self consciousness that might present itself in these situations.

Have an exit plan.

While the goal might be to get yourself out there and have some fun, sometimes it might

end up being more difficult than expected. It’s okay to want to leave somewhere if it gets

too overwhelming. Don’t push yourself and make yourself uncomfortable. If you’re

indoors, maybe step outside and get some fresh air. If you want to, don’t hesitate to

even simply just go home. While you may feel “lame,” remember that there’s absolutely

nothing lame about looking out for yourself and your comfort.

Most importantly, just let yourself have fun.

In all these emotions, don’t lose sight of the most important thing: having fun. While it

might sound cliche, it really is true. Spend time with people that make you happy. It

might be tempting to go to a party or some other event to fit in, but if your idea of fun is

staying in and watching movies while snacking on candy, go ahead and do it. At the end

of the day, you are in charge of your own Halloween, so let loose and make it a good

one.