It's that time of year where the leaves are changing color and everyone is getting ready for Halloween. Many people love going to haunted houses/trails. They can range from not being scary at all, to being so scary you have nightmares. When I was younger, I hated anything that was scary; I would go with people to haunted houses and then stay outside instead of going inside. When I did go inside, the people working would feel so bad that they came out and took off their masks so I knew that they weren't real. I have since overcome my fear and love going to haunted houses/trails. Here are some tips that help me when it starts to feel a little too real.

1. Remember That It's Not Real

I always remind myself that the "monsters" aren't real; they are ordinary people who have masks on. Yes, there are some really freaky masks out there. Some of them are really life-like but, as long as I remember that it is just a mask, I'm not as scared as I would have been otherwise. You have to remember that a person in a mask is still a person and they get scared sometimes too.

2. Talk to the Monsters

One thing that helps me stay calm in a haunted trail is talking to the monsters. Most of the time they are going to talk to you. They want to scare you as much as possible and talking in creepy voices can up the scare factor. When they say something to you, say something back. I always like when someone asks if I want to play; I like saying "Yeah! What do you want to play?" Sometimes it catches them off guard and makes them a little less scary because you realize that they can be stumped just like you.

3. Bring Friends

Going to haunted trails/houses is always more fun with friends. Friends will be there to laugh it off with you and scream like a little girl with you. Sometimes you have more fun laughing at your friend than being scared yourself. Even screaming together and being chased together is fun. There will probably be inside jokes for the rest of your lives but hey, that makes life more interesting.

4. Play Along

If you like making your friends more scared, you can play along with the "haunters." Depending on the type of place you go, people may reach out and grab you or put a chainsaw without a chain on your leg; go along with it and fall to the ground. Sometimes one person acting scared (even if they aren't) can make people in your group more scared.

5. Have Fun

I think the best part of going to haunted houses is the amount of fun you end up having. Trust me, the people working at the trail/house want you to have a good time (maybe so you give them a good review but, they have to earn a living somehow). So, as you go through this season of Halloween, go have fun and get a little bit scared. I think it is healthy to have a small amount of well-meaning fear in life. You can be scared and then laugh it off later once you realize that none of it is real (and that you paid to be scared.)