As the nights grow longer, many communities around the world celebrate moving into the darkest part of the year with rituals that honour the boundaries between light and darkness and life and death. In Western countries, Halloween is the most familiar of these celebrations, with its costumes and trick-or-treating.
Yet similar festivals, like Mexico’s Día de los Muertos and Japan’s Obon, share more than just a calendar coincidence with the Irish Samhain. They serve one of our deepest human needs: the need to connect, to express, and to release. The festivities promote connection, expression, and release, making them highly beneficial for our health.
Connection and Community
Halloween and its global cousins encourage social connection at a time of year when people might otherwise retreat indoors. Knocking on doors for treats, attending costume parties, or gathering around bonfires all strengthens our sense of belonging. Neuroscientists have discovered that social connection diminishes stress hormones and enhances immune function by stimulating the release of oxytocin, the "bonding hormone" associated with trust and safety. So, whether we greet a neighbour's child at the door or join a street celebration, we engage in small acts of community that have a lasting impact on our well-being.
In Mexico, families that create altars to honour deceased loved ones often experience a deep sense of cohesion with their family group and with those who have already died. It is then an opportunity to look through some old photos and take a trip down memory lane. Sharing stories, cooking traditional foods, and decorating together strengthen these intergenerational ties. They also serve as an opportunity to recall memories of those who have died and their influence in our lives. These traditions reaffirm that we are part of something bigger than ourselves—a link in the long chain of humanity’s presence in the world.
Creative Expression and Emotional Release
One of Halloween’s most enjoyable rituals is dressing up. Costume-making invites creativity, imagination, and playfulness—qualities often underused and frowned upon in adult life. Psychologists tell us that creative activities reduce cortisol levels and promote flow states that calm the nervous system. Even mild “role play” can help people explore hidden aspects of their personality, release tension, and express emotions that otherwise remain bottled up.
Children also get something out of fantasy. By assuming the role of a superhero or a ghost, children can confront their worries in a unique manner and discover that utilising their imagination can transform anxiety into enjoyment. Families in Japan wear colourful yukata robes and dance together to welcome the spirits of their ancestors during the Obon holiday. The movement, music, and coordinated rhythm create a contemplative joy, and the symbolic return and departure of the dead help people cope with their loss in a healthy way.
Facing Fear in a Safe Space
Halloween's darker side—ghost stories, haunted houses, and spooky decorations—may appear unhealthy at first glance. However, controlled exposure to terror is psychologically helpful. When we encounter mild fright in a safe environment, the body produces adrenaline and endorphins, which improve focus and produce a sense of elation after the fear passes. It is a natural preparation for real-life issues.
This "fun fear" also increases resilience. Ancient Samhain rites in Ireland, in which humans disguised themselves to deceive roaming spirits, represented the dance between life and uncertainty. Today, laughing in the dark at papier-mâché skeletons or carved pumpkins is an ancient stress-relieving tradition. It teaches us that, like winter, fear is transient and can be transformative.
Food, Ritual, and Nourishment
Traditional foods of seasonal festivals also support health in practical ways. In many cultures, sharing food is an expression of remembrance and gratitude, linking nourishment of the body with nourishment of the spirit. Colcannon, made with potatoes and cabbage, celebrates the seasonal shift toward warming, nutrient-rich meals—functional food with cultural meaning.
Celebration and the Healing Cycle
Under the masks and lanterns, Halloween and its sister traditions elsewhere celebrate transformation. They remind us of the cycles of growth, decay, and renewal that are associated with psychological wellness. Recognising death and gloom metaphorically on Halloween reduces unconscious worries, and the collective joy experienced in the community restores equilibrium. Every laugh at the different costumes and every candle lit for an ancestor builds mental and emotional resilience. Despite their playful nature, fearsome masks, and colourful outfits, as well as traditions such as bobbing apples and finding the ring, pea, and stick in the barm brack, all hide a festival that is good for our souls and a delightful preparation for the dark weeks ahead.