Top 7 Ways to Not Get Scared Playing a Horror Game

I'm probably the biggest scaredy cat when it comes to horror video games. Yet, my gamer girl self still insists on playing every scary game that comes out and I willingly go and give myself multiple heart attacks. But this list here is to help all of my fellow scaredy cats when diving head first into a horror game.

1. Lower the game volume.

If you're anything like me, anytime there is a jump scare, you instantly jump out of your skin. But if you lower the game volume, that loud noise you always hear at the moment of the jump scare won't be as loud and it will reduce the effectiveness of the jump scare. You also won't have that constant foreboding music blasting in your ears making you feel even more on edge.

2. Play with someone else in the room.

When you're playing a horror video game by yourself, it's only you against the game. But if you have someone else with you in the room, when you reach that desperate point of fear, simply look at or go to the person you have with you for reassurance. Maybe have them sit next to you as you play for a higher sense of comfort. But beware those friends who will scare you instead of help you!

3. Never play in the dark.

Our imaginations are a powerful thing. We have the capability to see and hear things that aren't really there and freak ourselves out even more. This ability to see or hear things will only get worse if you're not only playing a horror game, but also sitting in the dark. You will begin to see every shadow move and more than likely think that it's the monster from the video game. You're basically bringing those fears into the real world with you, so head my advice, have a light on!

4. Laugh at the things that are scaring you.

When you laugh at something that terrifies you or even laugh at the fact that you're getting scared, it essentially helps to take away the power of fear that the game has over you. How ca you be scared if you're laughing? Maybe even imagine that the monsters have on silly top hats and ridiculous costumes, anything that might help relieve that feeling of paranoia.

5. Look at cute pictures before and after you play.

Who doesn't love looking at pictures of puppies and kittens? Relaxing your mind with images like this before and after you play a horror game will help relieve that sense of paranoia. How can anything bad happen to you when you're in front of an adorable puppy? Better yet, if you have your own little animal friend, bring them into the room with you!

6. Expect the jump scares.

By now, you should know the best spots to place a jump scare, that is, if you've played enough video games or watched enough horror movies. You sense that feeling in the air that it's been quiet for too long or all of a sudden the music just stops. If you anticipate for those jump scares, they won't have as much of an effect on you.

7. Keep in mind that it's just a game.

When push comes to shove, in the end, you have to realize that the things you're experiencing just aren't real, it's only for fun! Keep in mind that the event you're experiencing in the game, can't hurt you in real life. They're just pixels on a computer screen. Don't let that take the fun away from you though!

For all of you crazy fear junkies that crave being scared, maybe these tips aren't for you. But for the rest of us, good luck and happy gaming!