Ah, Halloween. One of my favorite times of the year: the trees are changing color, the apple cider is flowing, and boots are finally being polished in anticipation of a crisp weather ahead. Costumes are planned, parties are attended, candy corn is eaten. How could anything destroy this wonderful time of year?

Well, as a person who is absolutely terrified of horror movies, I can answer that.

Halloween might be a time devoted to orchards and cozying up under a blanket, but it is also the time of the year when all my friends decide that it’d be a great idea to watch the scariest movies in the Netflix queue. How’s a girl with an overactive imagination supposed to cope? Here are some tried-and-true methods to try next time you’re dragged to the theater to watch the new “It” movie.

1. Talk

I love talking during movies no matter what, but I’ve found that chatting during horror movies is especially fun because A) I get to point out all the cheesy effects, and B) talking helps bring me out of the movie a little, allowing me to distance myself from the scary plot and keep my head level

2. Get a buddy

Whether this is someone is especially fond of horror movies or also absolutely hates them, having a buddy to clutch onto during the film will help hundredfold! Extra points if your buddy has some candy to share, as the sugar rush will keep you distracted from whatever drama is going down on screen

3. Look up the plot beforehand

This tip only works for some people, as the anticipation might be bad for those who get nervous about the plot of horror movies. however, I sometimes find it helpful to look up the plot beforehand in order to know when the worst jump scares occur—and when I should duck out to grab more popcorn if need be.

4. Check your phone

This is a last resort, but feel free to scroll through Instagram for a little while if need be! As long as the light isn’t distracting anyone else, you’re clear for a little break from the horror.

5. Rinse, don’t repeat

Congrats, you made it through a horror movie viewing! But now you’re all keyed up: what do you do now? I suggest watching a movie that is totally not scary: whether that's a Disney film or a favorite chick-flick, try to calm down before crawling into bed. Your overactive imagination will thank you!