A new survey found that nearly one in three adults (29%!) still admit they’re afraid of the dark.
And not just in a “haha, cute” way. 24% sleep with a nightlight, and 10% go full “lights on” all night. Surprisingly, men are more likely to admit this than women.
Of course, some people make peace with fear by continuing to force themselves to experience it. About 28% of adults say they love horror movies. So yes, we’re a nation of people who leave the bathroom light on after watching The Conjuring.
Men top the charts in horror fandom… 33% say they love scary movies compared to 24% of women…
But they’re also more likely to have nightmares afterward. Big talkers until Pennywise shows up.
The survey also found that horror movies take a real toll on sleep. 28% of people say they’re more likely to wake up in the middle of the night after watching one, 22% say they sleep worse overall, and 12% say they sleep fewer hours.
So the next time someone laughs at you for sleeping with a nightlight, remind them: at least you’re not the one who watched Hereditary at midnight and now thinks your coat rack is haunted. Or maybe that’s you too.