How to read horror (sanely) when you have an extremely overactive imgaination!!?

[Mairéad]

I like reading darker books like horrors and thrillers. I also read mostly at night. I have a highly overactive imagination which is both a blessing and a curse.
If the book draws me in and is detailed enough, the characters really come to life for me!
This is great except I start thinking that there is someone outside my window watching me at night or waiting to pounce on me on my way to the bathroom, so often, that sometimes I'm afraid to go. Sometimes I think I'll get shot by someone through our huge kitchen windows if I go down to the kitchen to get some water at night. I live in the country and I know that this is all nonsense but it still happens and it's difficult to shake and keep my cool when it does!

I end up really scaring myself silly!
I can't be alone in this!

How do the rest of keep your cool on not get too freaked out when reading such novels (particularly at night!) ?

I want to stop playing it safe with my horrors and thrillers!

[Kim]

I do get freaked out. I tried putting them in the freezer. It works. Also, have chocolate standing by. That helps ground you.

[Renee]

Hahaha didn't they put books in the freezer on Friends?

[Kim]

Yep, that's where I got it from and it does work for some silly reason. I guess it is just the act of stopping the reading process, out of sight, out of mind kinda thing.

[S.K.]

Ha ha I do this. When I'm writing-I've been known to do the scary-run thing down the hall to my bedroom cos I freaked myself out!
I imagine a white light around me when I'm scared and it calms me. Lame but effective!

[S.K.]

Kim wrote: "I do get freaked out. I tried putting them in the freezer. It works. Also, have chocolate standing by. That helps ground you."

ha ha Joey and The Shining/Little Women right?

[Kim]

Yep. That's the one. :)