DALLAS, Sept. 26, 2018 – “Terror Togetherness” may seem like an oxymoron, but haunt industry authority America Haunts reports that the fear generated at a good haunted house can actually improve relationships, particularly romantic relationships.
There is science to support this claim, according to Brad Nowlin, a licensed marriage and family therapist in the Dallas area. “The excitement that comes with being scared, in a safe and fun environment, can pump dopamine into the brain. A scary haunted house is a good example of a situation that would stimulate the neurotransmitters to the brain that can generate both fear and attraction.”
Nowlin adds, “When we are scared, we instinctively grab the person we are with and stay physically close together. Then there is that euphoric moment with a rush of shared emotions when the couple knows they are safe yet their hearts continue to race.”
Many couples love the thrills of haunted attractions so much they use the setting to propose or even get married.
“The professional top-notch haunted houses offer the perfect places to take your new date, or your longtime partner. Every year we see couples fall in love at the haunts, and then come back to host their Halloween-themed weddings,” said Amber Arnett-Bequeaith, spokesperson for America Haunts. “Love definitely can be found behind the scares and screams.”
Haunted attractions also provide a great venue to foreshadow how couples address fear and the level of protection they will give one another in the scariest moments of life. When they become terrified by whatever creeps out from the shadows, one may be courageous or heroic and jump in front of their partner to protect them, or at times couples lack that hero with one or both cowering behind in fear.
“You’d be surprised how many guys are hiding behind their girlfriends at the haunts,” adds Arnett-Bequeaith. “It’s an eye-opener for couples to see who’s the bravest – often it’s the women.”
